Racing de Santander vs Malaga preview - Malaga aim to overcome Baptista setback

Posted Monday, November 21, 2011 by PA

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini admits the news injured striker Julio Baptista is facing more time on the sidelines is a major setback for his side, but remains confident they have the strength in depth to cope without the Brazil international.

Baptista has been absent since scoring an injury-time winner against Getafe at the start of October and, after going further tests on his foot problem, it was announced on Friday he will be out for at least another four weeks.

That means the former Real Madrid ace will not only miss Monday night's trip to Racing Santander but is unlikely to play again this year, with the possibility of an even longer lay-off if surgery is required.

Losing Baptista is a blow - Malaga suffered three successive defeats following the Getafe game having previously taken 13 points from a possible 15 - but Pellegrini has faith in his squad.

He said: "Not having Julio Baptista will always be a serious setback, but we try to structure the squad so we can replace players who have problems during the season.

"These things often happen in all squads. Everything possible has been done but he has not been able to recover."

Sixth-placed Malaga are also without Joaquin Sanchez, Weligton, Apono, Eliseu and Kris but welcome back Ruud van Nistelrooy, Enzo Maresca and Sergio Sanchez for the trip to lowly Racing.

The Cantabrian outfit have picked up just one win and nine points from their opening 11 games under new coach Hector Cuper and they find themselves in the relegation zone for the visit of Malaga.

Nevertheless, Pellegrini has warned his side against underestimating their opponents, adding: "They are a very complicated team, who have not conceded a lot of goals and drew with Real Madrid.

"They're not an easy opponent, we're prepared for a difficult, close game where the difference will be minimal."

Racing have also shown improvement of late and picked up five points from their last three games, claiming their first win of the season with a 1-0 home triumph over Real Betis in between away draws at Sevilla and Granada.

Racing welcome back veteran midfielder Gonzalo Colsa for the first time this season after surgery, but Lautaro Acosta, Kennedy Bakircioglu and Jairo Samperio are all missing through injury while Ariel Nahuelpan is suspended.

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