Manuel Pellegrini hopes that Malaga can put their Champions League disappointment behind them and refocus on the League.
The Costa del Sol outfit suffered stoppage time heartbreak at Borussia Dortmund in Tuesday evening’s Champions League quarter-final.
Left furious afterwards with the match officials at the award of the Germans’ decisive third goal despite two offside positions, the Anchovies Coach cut a more relaxed figure at his pre-match Press conference on Friday.
“These things happen in football, and results can depend on various factors. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their messages of encouragement, and we all feel the fans’ support,” mused Pellegrini to reporters today.
“The reception we received when we arrived back from Dortmund was incredible, and a testament to what we all feel at La Rosaleda.
“I’ve been very condescending towards the referees. What happened in Dortmund wasn’t just a mistake, it was a complete lack of character, but the subject is now closed.
“It’s tough to get as far as we did in a competition like that, but now our concentration has shifted back to the League.”
Sitting sixth in La Liga, four points behind Real Sociedad in the fourth and final Champions League qualification place, Malaga welcome Osasuna to La Rosaleda this Saturday evening.
“We’re only concerned with tomorrow’s clash with Osasuna, who are a team with a very direct style of play, and who work well from set pieces.
“They play every ball like it’s the last, so it’s crucial that we impose our style of football.
“The team has been hit hard following the match in Dortmund, but they’re doing well. We’ve got eight very important games coming up and need to gain as many points as we can in order to qualify for European football next season.
“Our main objective was to always focus on the League and perform well in the Champions League, and we certainly did that.
“There are 24 points in play and we’re determined for eight victories in order to get to Europe.”
