Malaga vs Almeria preview - Apono: Derby is must win

Posted Monday, February 28, 2011 by PA

Malaga midfielder Apono has described the Andalusian derby against Almeria at La Rosaleda as a must-win encounter as they look to escape the drop.

The match pitches the bottom two teams in the Primera Division against each other, with Malaga propping up the standings on 20 points, one behind Almeria but four adrift of safety.

Apono said: "This Monday is key, because it's a game that could take you closer to the five or six teams that are above, to be able to fight we have no option but to win.

"The key to safety is winning at home, and with your fans in your favour you have to win those games. We hope that this Monday will be the first of many."

Malaga go into the match on the back of three successive draws, the latest of which saw them claim a late equaliser to hold high-flying Villarreal to a 1-1 tie at El Madrigal.

Apono admits the squad have been boosted by that result, but knows they need to follow it up with a victory on Monday.

"The team came out of the Villarreal game stronger, but to put the point to good use we need to win on Monday. If we lose, the point won`t mean much, one point from two games is not worth anything to us," added the 27-year-old, whose side go to second-placed Real Madrid on Thursday.

Almeria also recorded a 1-1 draw last weekend, although it was in completely contrasting circumstances to Malaga`s match.

Jose Luis Oltra's men looked poised to claim a much-needed win as they entered injury-time leading 1-0, but Depor grabbed a dramatic equaliser when their goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia headed in a late corner.

Oltra said: "It hurts to concede a goal like that. But we have to forget that now and move on."

"In this encounter (against Malaga) we have a lot to gain, but also a lot to lose. But whatever happens, with the games that there are left, there will be nothing decided in the fight to stay up."