Malaga manager Bernd Schuster has refused to play down the importance of Monday's La Liga clash with Osasuna.

As it stands, Schuster's side sit in 16th position in the table and are only out of the relegation zone on goal difference with 12 games remaining.

"We've had a lot of time in which we've been the masters of our own destiny, and tomorrow we've got another chance to move up the table," he told reporters at a press conference.

"We've then got a difficult phase coming up which could bring up a whole host of surprises, like Real Valladolid yesterday.

"Maintaining our determination for victory tomorrow will be crucial, in order to claim three important points and move three points away from the relegation zone."

Malaga have won just six times in the league this season.