Cordoba vs Malaga preview - Lopez keeps faith after poor start

Posted Saturday, October 18, 2014 by PA

Cordoba winger Jose Maria Lopez has insisted that his side are not deflated by their start to the season.

The Andalusian club are still without a win in their first season back in the top flight for 42 years as they prepare to host local rivals Malaga on Saturday.

Cordoba were cruelly denied all three points in their last outing at Getafe due to a stoppage-time equaliser by Baba Diawara, but Lopez says his team - who are bottom of the league - have nothing to be ashamed of.

He told Marca: "We would all like to be higher in the table, especially in our return to the Primera Division after 42 years, but we shouldn't be frustrated about our start given the teams we have played, we just need one victory to gain some confidence."

The winger, in his fourth season with Cordoba - which makes him the joint-most senior player along with Carlos Caballero - also gave his backing to his coach Albert Ferrer.

"Today our coach is Ferrer and we hope he will be until the end of the season," he said.

"There has been no commotion, the director of football has transmitted a sense of calm to all of us, and just asked that we all give a little more of ourselves."

Malaga have not endured the easiest start to the season either but go into the game fresh from beating another Andalusian side, Granada, to pick up their first win in six games.

However, the Boquerones are still searching for their first away win of the season.

"We are very hopeful of improving on our last few away trips and we want to give a better showing of ourselves and get better results," said coach Javi Gracia in his pre-match press conference.

But he warned of Cordoba: "They are a team in need, they haven't got a win yet so they will play with that bit of extra determination."

Midfielder Patrick Ekeng, the scorer of Cordoba's goal against Getafe, is a doubt for the game due to a muscle problem, while full-back Angel Crespo is ruled out until November with a torn muscle.

Malaga's only fresh absentee is Marcos Angeleri, who was sent off in the win over Granada.