The Chilean-born coach affirms that the team isn’t still thinking about last Tuesday’s defeat against Porto, but just focused on the next rival: “We’ve moved past the defeat against Porto, firstly because we only lost by 1-0 against a major rival, and secondly we have every chance of winning in the second leg here at home.  We’re all now completely focused on the League until we face Porto again in March.  We would have liked to have played better from an attacking point of view, but I think we had a very tight defence and Porto had very few opportunities to score.  We’ll see what happens in the next Champions game, but for now we’re concentrating on Betis.”
 
For Pellegrini, the performance in the UEFA Champions League doesn’t affect the BBVA League, and vice versa: “The team has shown throughout the season that we’ve been able to play ten Champions matches and still maintain our focus on the League.  I don’t think one really has anything to do with the other.”
 
The coach has analysed tomorrow’s opponent, and knows the importance of gaining three points against a direct rival: “It’s going to be a tough match as Real Betis are having a good season, and there are six or seven teams in the League with a minimal points difference between them, and Betis will want to secure a home win against a rival for European football next year.  We’re fully aware, as with Levante, that a win away against Betis would give us a comfortable lead in the League table.”
 
“I’m not at all worried, as both the players and the coaching team are focused solely on Málaga, and we’re all very happy here, with the future much more dependent on the Club, rather than supposed offers.  Personally, I don’t have any arrangement with anyone, and have absolutely nothing to worry about other than Málaga,” states the coach, putting an end to rumours about the departure of players or himself, at the end of the season.