Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini is taking nothing for granted as he looks to get his side's European push back on track against lowly Real Zaragoza.
Pellegrini determined not to slip-up against rock-bottom Zaragoza
Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini is taking nothing for granted as he looks to get his side's European push back on track against Real Zaragoza,
live on Sky Sports HD 4 at 7pm.
The Andalusian club are ninth in La Liga but are just two points behind fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao in a congested table.
And after losing to Athletic last time out, Pellegrini's men would appear to have the ideal opportunity to get back to winning ways as they host beleaguered bottom side Zaragoza this weekend.
Zaragoza are five points adrift at the basement after winning just three times this season, but one of those victories came in impressive and unexpected fashion - 3-0 - at another European-chasing side in Espanyol earlier this month.
Former Real Madrid coach Pellegrini said: "The worst mistake we could make is to think Zaragoza are last and we should win easily for that reason.
"They played a good game against Espanyol and are going to continue playing for their lives to survive in the division. We are playing a side who will be fighting until the end not to go down."
Malaga have enjoyed greater fortune at home than on their travels but Pellegrini does not necessarily think that factor will have big influence as they return to La Rosaleda.
He said: "For some reason we have not been able to score enough away, and we have at home, but these things are not related.
"The attitude of the team has been the same and the important thing now is to get three points against Zaragoza."
Zaragoza coach Manolo Jimenez has also pledged not to give up hope of beating the drop, for the sake of supporters.
Jimenez said: "While there is hope we respect the club and its fans."
Best Bet: Malaga HT/ Malaga FT -
11/10
