Mallorca vs Malaga preview - Big-spending Malaga hoping to kick on

Posted Saturday, September 17, 2011 by PA

Malaga got their Primera Division campaign up and running on Monday night with a 4-0 demolition of Granada and Santi Cazorla hopes that was the first step towards Champions League football.

After splashing out big money this summer Malaga suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Sevilla in their first match, but Manuel Pellegrini's men recovered from that with an impressive defeat of Granada with new signings Cazorla and Joaquin Sanchez each scoring twice.

Spain international Cazorla said ahead of Saturday's trip to Real Mallorca: "The intention and the objective is to be in the top four or five. I wouldn't settle for Europa League football at the moment, we have a good enough team to be among the best."

Pellegrini admitted earlier in the week that he has a selection dilemma due to the return of forward Julio Baptista.

The Brazilian was vital in keeping Malaga in the Primera Division last season and is expected to replace Jose Salomon Rondon and partner Ruud Van Nistelrooy up front. Weligton and Kris Stadsgaard are the only injury absentees for Malaga.

Mallorca have endured a very different summer to Malaga, spending only 700,000 euros compared to Malaga's reported 56million euros and losing last season's player of the year Jonathan de Guzman to Villarreal.

Michael Laudrup has at least been boosted by the return of Michael Pereira with the midfielder expected to make his first start of the season on Saturday and Jose Luis Marti could also be back after missing the defeat at Real Betis.

Goalkeeper Dudu Aouate is aware of the daunting task facing his side but remains confident of causing an upset.

He said: "Malaga are a team very much like Villarreal. They have Pellegrini and we know their style of play. They have signed very well and started the season very well, but we are at home, we can win and we will stand up to the task."