MALAGA COULD DO BETTER SAYS VAN NISTELROOY

By Staff Writer
Updated: 10 December, 2011

Malaga frontman Ruud van Nistelrooy says his team are happy with their start to the season, but admits there is room for improvement at the big-speniding club.

The Andalusians currently lie sixth in the table but know a win in tomorrow’s clash against Osasuna could see them climb into fourth spot, setting them up nicely for the second half of the season.

The former-Real Madrid striker said: “It has been nice to get some points on the board but I also think we can improve on our performances as the season progresses. We had a lot of new players join the club in the summer, and the team will only get better as they get used to playing with each other.

“There are many areas I’m sure we can improve on, and I am sure we can play even better than we are up to now.”

Van Nistelrooy has had a difficult start to the campaign, managing just one goal in eight appearances, but he says the most important thing is the overall performance of the team: “It is true that I have scored only one goal, as have the other forwards we have here which is strange, but I believe it also shows how we can play as a team.

“I’m sure the more goals will follow for everybody as we become accustomed to playing together, but at this moment we are happy.”

Malaga were one of the biggest spenders during the summer and, bankrolled by the Qatari Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani, many believe they could be the side to mount a serious challenge to the duopoly enjoyed by Real Madrid and Barcelona.

“Of course it is good to win trophies,” Van Nistelrooy said, “I remember every title I have won in my career, and it really is something special.

“My hopes with Malaga are to get the club to the next level and have a good season – hopefully this means we can qualify for next season’s European competitions and maybe we can win trophies here.”

Jose Mendilibar’s Osasuna travel to La Roselada tomorrow night and the former-Dutch international believes it will be a tough game: “They are one place behind us in the leage and have started the season well. We will work hard however and we are confident we can get a good result to give us a strong position going into the winter break next week.”

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