Valladolid vs Malaga preview - Malaga looking solid - Sanchez

Posted Thursday, September 26, 2013 by PA

Sergio Sanchez has hailed Malaga's strong defensive foundations as they bid to extend their unbeaten run in the Primera Division to five matches when they take on Real Valladolid on Friday night.

Bernd Schuster's team head for the Estadio Jose Zorrilla having not conceded in any of their last three games and take on a Valladolid team who have not won any of their last three La Liga matches.

Midfielder Sanchez told www.malagacf.com: "The team is really tight in defence, which is crucial in not conceding any goals.

"This keeps our attackers calm during play, to maximise the chance of creating goalscoring opportunities. I'm very pleased with my performance recently, I feel confident in midfield and keen to continue improving with every game.

"The team is totally committed, unified, bold, and with very clear ideas and a strong determination to achieve great things. You can't really take much notice of the league table so early on in the season, as if you win or lose a game, you can rise and fall very quickly. However we're looking to be in a strong position by Christmas, gain more stability and make our mark."

Valladolid head into the game with a few injury worries. German midfielder Patrick Ebert is a doubt after suffering a knock in the Blanquivioletas' midweek draw away to Levante, while fellow midfielder Victor Perez faces up to three months out with a stress fracture of his left tibia.

Nevertheless, Sanchez is predicting a tough encounter, adding: "This is a difficult ground. Valladolid are a powerful team, so our aim will be to minimise their strengths on the pitch as much as possible and try to impose our style of play.

"It's important that we improve with each game and try to score points in away matches. If we come home with three points on Friday, then even better."