Demichelis backs stricken Malaga to succeed

Martin Demichelis believes Malaga can still be successful despite the financial turmoil surrounding the La Liga club.

Head coach Manuel Pellegrini has been forced to sell key players such as Santi Cazorla, while Villarreal have reported Malaga to UEFA over missing transfer payments.

However, former Bayern Munich defender Demichelis believes the coming season will go down as a success if they manage to qualify for the Champions League group stage.

“We must fight on despite our situation,” the Argentine centre-back said ahead his side’s Champions League play-off clash against Panathinaikos on Wednesday.

“Our supporters in Malaga will cheer us on no matter what and we must win for them. I am very much committed to the cause and I believe my teammates are too.”

Demichelis was also upbeat following Malaga’s 1-0 victory against Celta Vigo last weekend, a game in which Pellegrini was forced to field 16-year-old striker Fabrice Olinga.

“The atmosphere against Celta was good,” he said.

“Influential players have left us, but the win restored much needed confidence in the group. I believe we can still achieve something.”