Blue and Whites’ coach, Manuel Pellegrini analyses the match: “It was a fairly even first half, and a great second half for us. We dominated possession and created goal opportunities. We earned three important points against a direct rival.”
This win sees Málaga CF remain in fourth place in the BBVA League, and maintaining Champions League positions: “There are a few teams fighting for fourth place. Valencia won tonight, so three points from this away match were very important for us.”
Pellegrini is not only pleased with the win, but also states: “I’m very happy with our performance, and pleased that Julio Baptista and Lucas Piazon got the chance to play.”
Isco: “We only depend on ourselves”
Málaga’s goal-scorer of the night, Isco, says how happy he is with tonight’s match: “I’m very pleased with our performance tonight in what was a difficult game at a tough ground. Levante got on the score board first, but we were patient and took advantage of our goal opportunities.”
Renewing his contract with Málaga CF, making his debut with Spain’s first team and scoring two goals against Levante, but still the Benalmádena-born player wants more: “It’s been an amazing week, but we need to keep working as hard as we can to ensure we remain in Champions League positions.”
Looking at the League table and the fight for the Champions League, Isco isn’t focusing on the rivals: “We’re in fourth place, and only depend on ourselves.”
Antunes: “My teammates are such quality players, which makes it a lot easier to adapt”
Vitorino Antunes, who made his debut as a ‘Malaguista’ tonight, is very happy with the victory at the Ciudad de Valencia: “We knew it’d be a tough match, few teams have won here so we’re very pleased.”
Antunes also analyses his debut with the team: “I felt I performed well tonight. My teammates are such quality players, which makes it a lot easier to adapt. It’s all about working hard to keep improving.” Speaking of ‘La Liga’, the Portuguese-born player adds: “I knew the Spanish League was more difficult and a lot more intense.”
Sergio Sánchez: “It was a six-point match”
The ‘Malaguista’, who tonight paired up with Demichelis as a central defender, felt very comfortable in this position: “I’m happy playing in this position, as it’s where I played since I was younger. I’m here to help the team as much as I can wherever the coach needs me.”
“We’ve worked very hard this week, knowing that this would be a six-point match, and we’ve achieved a crucial victory tonight. We’re now focused on working hard to ensure we maintain winning ways” concludes Sánchez.