Pellegrini’s statements:
MCF’s international appointments
“It’s always going to be a great honour that such a high number of players are called-up by the national side. The youth teams are important for clubs, and in this area Málaga is always going to be a producer of players and, therefore, the Sports Village is going to continue to be the dream we’re looking for and the sooner it happens, the better.”
MCF-Zaragoza
“All games are important, the differences are minimal, and tomorrow we have a rival that is fighting not to be relegated. For different reasons, we’ve not been able to score away form home, but we’ve done pretty well at home, and one thing’s got nothing to do with the other. You’ve got to analyse them as different matches; the attitude of the team is always the same and now the important thing is to get the three points tomorrow against Zaragoza. I don’t want this – a bad away run – to turn into an obsession, it’s not the time to take stock and I think the worst games we’ve had away have been Sevilla, Levante and Rayo Vallecano, the rest have all been due to different circumstances.”
State of the squad
“The squad’s pretty good. Jesús Gámez should be back with us next week; we’re a large squad and not everyone can be on the list. Baptista? He’s a very important player and he’s getting better in terms of the pain in his foot, but when Julio’s not available there’s another player who can replace him.”
The names
“Against Mallorca, we got three goals here and Seba Fernández and Rondón are getting some good goals, I try to look at the positives, in Bilbao we slipped up but hopefully tomorrow we’ll turn that around. Everyone has opportunities but only 11 can play and I evaluate it week by week. Recio is progressing in his level and one always tries to lead those who are always improving. Joaquín has now had two weeks’ works and he’ll soon be able to play a complete game.”
Zaragoza
“The worst mistake we could make is to think that Zaragoza is last and therefore we’re going to win. They had a pretty good game against Espanyol and they won, and they’re going to continue to fight for their salvation in the division and we’re going to have a very complete game, as we have had in our last few home games, if we want to score. Knowing Manuel Jiménez, they’ll be fighting for their lives to keep them in the category.”
Irregularity
“Our campaign is as bad or as irregular as Athletic de Bilbao’s, Atlético de Madrid’s, Osasuna’s, Betis’, Sevilla’s, Villarreal’s...There are 11 or 12 teams with a minimal difference between them and a few games will sort that out. The championship is very close and the important thing now is to add-up the three points at home. We’re at ease and very aware that we have to improve and work week by week in order to be as high up the table as possible.”
Weligton-Mathijsen
“Despite, in theory, it being risk playing two defenders, they carried it off very well in the two matches and I’m happy with their performances.”
A close call
“The last thing the team lacks is intensity; the important thing is to get points from within, and tomorrow we’re the locals at home. The results are related to many different things, not only with the play, although that is normally the case. I’ve got the feeling that we’re going to have to fight in the 15 remaining games with 15 very close teams who could also take the three points. The more you win, the more you move on. But in 23 meetings it’s been like this, and there’s not reason why it shouldn’t continue and everything’s decided as always by one point.”
