Pellegrini’s statements:

(Málaga-Atlético).  “We should have capitalised on the good command that we had in the first half.  For me it was one of the best first halves that we’ve had.  Atlético cut-off almost all the moves but we created a lot and we could’ve done more damage to the opponent’s defence.  In the second half we went for it but Atlético hadn’t left any gaps and we ended-up with the 0-0.  But the first team was everything that one could one, but we didn’t convert the opportunities that we had.”

(Aspects of the game).  “No-one was thinking about the Copa del Rey, rather about returning to European positions.  We took on a complicated rival, we improved a lot and we had a very secure defence; I’m pleased with the goal creation of the first half and in the second we felt last Tuesday’s game.  Atlético turned out to be how we were expecting, they’re a team that needs to get results but it’s not down to me to analyse that.”

(Copa del Rey - Real Madrid).  “After this game, there are still another six points up for grabs in the first round; the closer we are to 30 points the better.  Now we can think about Real Madrid and I hope that we can make the fans happy and qualify at home.  It’s going to be a difficult match, we’ll have to go for it throughout the 90 minutes against a team that will try and take hold of the attack, which is their strongest part.”