Sergio Pellicer, Málaga CF coach held a press conference after beating CD Lugo 0-2 at the Anxo Carro.

He started off by praising the fans present in Lugo: “It’s difficult to make the trip as all the fans have done who’ve been supporting us in this situation; we have to thank them for their commitment.”

He then assessed the LaLiga SmartBank matchday 37 fixture: “We performed best in the first half. We started with a little bit of anxiety, we got the first goal and took advantage of the rival's emotional weakness to score the second. In the second half there were moments where we lacked the tranquillity of the last pass to make the most of the opponent's nerves and get the third goal. With the new coach, Lugo haven’t lost at home, and had conceded only one goal. Our focus is now on next Monday.”

Pellicer also referred to the “emotional state,” acknowledging that it “has to improve because on Monday there’ll be another game with a packed La Rosaleda, with the enthusiasm that the team has generated in an extreme situation. A week ago many didn’t believe, but we have to continue. The situation is difficult, but we are going to keep fighting.”

The Malaguista coach once again thanked the 500 fans present in the Anxo Carro stands: “There is no team in Spain that can move so many fans who believe in a difficult situation. We have fans behind us who support us, encourage us, and who are also there when things don't go well. We’re thrilled, as are the fans. We have taken a little step forward, there’s still a long way to go. It’s still difficult, but we have to focus on the day to day. Those who have travelled here today will make their way back to Málaga without sleeping, they will arrive at five or six in the morning and tomorrow they’ll go to work. This is passion and that’s what we want to convey, to fight until the last moment.”

Pellicer admitted that “we’re enduring very difficult things. We are going to fight to achieve our goal as it will be much sweeter and better for everyone,” he said. He added that, at the same time, he was cautious as well as ambitious for this final stretch: “We have our feet on the ground, we need to win, win and win. The last time we won three games in a row was three seasons ago, and now we have to look for the fourth, which is our challenge.”

Closing the press conference, he talked about the atmosphere in the dressing room after the win and echoed the dedication of Malaguismo: “There is very little to celebrate. That controlled euphoria is the greatest energy there is and I can't stop it. We have to continue with that. From the heart, thank you to the fans on behalf of us all. I’m speechless for them coming here without sleeping all night at five points away. There are very few fans in Spain with that enthusiasm and hope, which pushes us forward and helps us.”