Malaga vs Espanyol preview - Osvaldo returns to boost Espanyol

Posted Sunday, March 20, 2011 by PA

Dani Osvaldo is back for Espanyol following two months on the sidelines and could start the Primera Division clash against bottom club Malaga.

Osvaldo suffered an adductor injury in January and underwent surgery in his native Argentina, but the former Bologna forward is now available again after building up his fitness in the last two weeks.

Osvaldo had been expected to return sooner, but coach Mauricio Pochettino was unwilling to risk his star striker.

Espanyol also welcome back former Spain forward Sergio Garcia and defender Jordi Amat, but the Barcelona-based side also have key absences for the trip to Andalusia.

In-form midfielder Javi Marquez has failed to recover from an injury in time for the game, while Aldo Duscher and Juan Forlin are also sidelined and Jose Callejon is suspended.

Captain Ivan de la Pena is also still out, although Espanyol have become accustomed to playing without the former Barca playmaker, who has been sidelined for the entire campaign.

Espanyol beat Deportivo La Coruna 2-0 last weekend to move back up to fifth place in the table and reach the symbolic total of 43 points.

"The first objective was to get to 43 points and secure survival," midfielder Raul Baena said.

"Now we'll try and finish in the European positions."

Three points against struggling Malaga would be a good start to fulfilling that aim.

"We are going to go out and give 100 per cent against Malaga," Baena said.

"They are desperate for points and we have to approach the match as if it were a final." Malaga beat Real Sociedad 2-0 at Anoeta last weekend, but the Andalusians have the worst home record in the entire division, having picked up just 11 points at La Rosaleda all season.

"Anxiety is costing us at home," coach Manuel Pellegrini said.

But striker Salomon Rondon says his side must improve their dismal form at La Rosaleda if they are to avoid the drop.

"Our home form will be the key to survival," he said.

"We have to win more games here." Apono and Weligton return for Malaga, but keeper Sergio Asenjo is sidelined for the rest of the season.