Celta Vigo vs Malaga preview - Ferreira keen to build on display

Posted Thursday, March 20, 2014 by PA

Malaga defender Flavio Ferreira has called on his team-mates to build on last weekend's encouraging performance against Real Madrid when they visit Celta Vigo on Friday night.

A 1-0 loss to the league leaders did little to ease Malaga's relegation fears with just three points separating them from the drop zone, but there was plenty in the display to suggest Bernd Schuster's troops have enough in reserve to maintain their Primera Division status.

The defeat brought an end to a three-game unbeaten run that had seen Malaga claw their way to the relative safety of mid-table, but Ferreira knows much work remains.

"It wasn't a great game as we didn't win, but we took a lot of positive things from this match ahead of our next game on Friday," Ferreira said.

"Physically it took a lot out of us, but we'll be working hard this week to make sure we're at 200 per cent this weekend."

Just four points separates Malaga in 14th from Celta in 11th, and Ferreira believes a crucial period in the season lies ahead with matches against fellow relegation fighters Real Betis and Granada to come in the next fortnight.

"There's not a lot of difference at the moment between Celta and Malaga so we're determined to bring the points home," he said.

"It's not like a final for us, but it is a very important match in which we'll do our best to clinch three points.

"There will always be room for improvement and we've got three crucial games coming up against direct rivals."

Celta head into the game on a high after ending a three-game winless run with a 1-0 victory at Levante last week, and can move level with Levante, Valencia and Espanyol with another three points on Friday.