For the Málaga captain, the key to defeating Borussia in the quarter-final: “Is to keep doing what we’ve always done, and what we know works. It’ll be a very difficult match, but we know that if we can impose our style of football, we could win.”
The Brazilian-born centre-forward doesn’t class either team as the ‘favourite’: “The ‘favourite’ will be decided on the pitch. We’ll stick to our method of work, take each match at a time, keep our feet on the ground and perform the best football we can. That’s how we’ve got so far in this competition and achieved some fantastic victories, and this is the way we need to go tomorrow.”
At this stage in the competition, any rival is going to be tough: “We’re amongst the best eight teams in Europe, so of course tomorrow’s game is going to be difficult. Borussia have some quality players, so it’s a case of whichever team makes the fewest mistakes, will win. It’s crucial that we play the perfect game for the entire 90 minutes.”
The team has made it clear that Málaga Club de Fútbol hasn’t had the last word: “For football supporters all over the world, for the city and our fans; we really are living the dream. Even though we’ve got some amazing players and a coach with a lot of experience in this competition, we’re making sure this ‘dream’ remains a reality, and focusing on the job we need to do to win this quarter-final.”
Pellegrini: “Both teams concentrate on lengthy ball possession and creativity rather than destructive game play”
Manuel Pellegrini analyses tomorrow’s rival, as well as the similarities and differences between both teams: “I don’t think the teams are the same at all, although they both concentrate on lengthy ball possession and creativity, rather than destructive game play, which are the ingredients for a perfect Champions League game for the fans. Even though the style of football between the two could be alike in some ways, what happens on the pitch will be very different, as each player has different characteristics. I’m really pleased we’re up against such a creative team as Borussia Dortmund.”
The coach’s tactics are the same as always: “It’s important we play a very balanced match. We’re not going to vary our style of football in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, nor speculate a result. We’re solely focusing on imposing our game play, impeding Borussia’s strengths and creating as many options as possible on the pitch.”
The Chilean-born coach highlights the team’s performance so far in the competition: “I’m absolutely thrilled with how far we’ve come. When we started the Champions League, I think many people saw us as just another team taking part without any real chance of getting very far. However the boys have put on an outstanding performance time and again, firstly qualifying, then finishing first in the group stage and eliminating a big team like FC Porto. The team deserves a lot of credit for their achievements both in the League and the Champions League.”
