Malaga vs Villarreal preview - Soriano rues Cani departure

Posted Saturday, January 10, 2015 by PA

Villarreal captain Bruno Soriano has hinted that several members of his team were surprised to see long-time club servant Cani depart the for Atletico Madrid this week, but stressed they had to accept it and focus on qualifying for Europe next season.

Thirty-three-year-old winger Cani is Villarreal's second highest appearance maker after Marcos Senna but has had a decreasing role in the team this season as a result of injuries and the impressive form of Denis Cheryshev, and on Wednesday unexpectedly joined champions Atletico on loan until the end of the season.

"The team has greatly felt his departure but it cannot be changed now and so we have to look ahead and think about the team," said Bruno in a press conference ahead of the trip to Malaga, one of Villarreal's rivals for a European place.

"Cani's departure is the departure of someone who I have a very special regard for, but it's something which has happened now and we need to move on."

"Everyone knows what he means for this team and everything he has given us, but Cani is no longer here, he has moved on and we need to do the same," added Bruno of his team-mate, who played 309 matches for the Yellow Submarine and scored 33 goals.

Villarreal are one point and one league position ahead of seventh-placed Malaga going into Saturday's game at La Rosaleda, a match Bruno believes will be "intense".

"Malaga are a good team, they are in good form and at the moment they are a direct rival to us," added the midfielder.

Malaga lost ground in the fight for fourth spot by losing 1-2 at home to struggling Almeria last weekend, but restored pride with a 2-0 win over Levante in the Copa del Rey in mid-week.

Villarreal were also victorious in the Cup, seeing off Real Sociedad 1-0 in the first leg of their last 16 tie at El Madrigal.

Coach Marcelino has been boosted by the news that Tomas Pina's two-game suspension for getting sent off in the 3-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna has been reduced to one match, meaning the midfielder is free to play at La Rosaleda, but full-back Jaume Costa is suspended.

Malaga have a total of five players out through injury, but Belarusian striker Igor Filipenko could make his first appearance for the team since signing from BATE Borisov.