Pellegrini’s statements:
José Carlos Pérez
“A very difficult week, we were hoping for a different outcome. He was a much-loved person inside and outside of the Club; a devastating loss for Málaga from the personal point of view. It was his dream to see a great Málaga and no-one wants to believe what has happened. It’s affected the whole squad, he was much-loved by the guys as he did some great things and was a figurehead for the Club and we’re all very sad. What’s happened affects you, but also we’ve never felt more responsible of being able to make a person’s dream come true as he always said that now he could enjoy Málaga, after so many years trying to save it. From a personal point of view, and this applies for the players too, we feel an even greater responsibility to carry out this project.”
Players in and out
“Martin – Demichelis – has been playing the whole season, tomorrow we’ll see what team starts. Mathijsen and Weligton? They all have possibilities, the fact that they’re both defenders seems strange but two rights always play, and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t. Van Nistelrooy and Joaquín? They’re both ok, and have been given the all- clear by the doctors since the beginning of the week. Ruud was a away less time and he’s not missed much; and Joaquín rejoins us after a longer time away, but he’s well and he’s on the list of called-up players although he’s not up to playing a whole game, but he is able to contribute if it’s necessary.”
A balanced League
“I see a very close League, there are minimal differences and all teams are aspiring to great things. Many points have escaped us and we have a deficit of results but we shouldn’t lose perspective because last year Málaga was last with 17 points – 23 from Champions and 19 from Europe. I think there’s a difference of 2 points to be in Europe and 4 to get into Champions. We shouldn’t devalue any rival, no rival is easy; one thing is the theory and the other is the reality, which is that there are 10 or 14 sides who are very close in terms of their performance.”
MCF football analysis
“We had the ability to take the initiative and have good results at home, we’re hoping for a good game and hopefully we’ll continue fighting for the top positions all year, with the fourth and seventh place a minimal difference. All managers work on tactics will an excess or deficit of set pieces. The last thing this team lacks is intensity, we’re always intensively self-criticising and I don’t think it’s a weaker team in terms of set pieces than any other. As you approach the final, you start to realise what you’re aspiring to, and getting three points would allow us to get there – in Europe – and the difference between success and setbacks are just one or two points, no more. The important thing is to take an assessment bearing in mind the deficit we have when playing away, but also to take into account that we’ve made big progress as last year we were last with 17 points.”