Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini declared himself satisfied with the 4-3 first leg Copa del Rey success at Cacereno.
The Segunda B outfit became the first team to put three past the Costa del Sol side this season, albeit it against a much changed side, but the Chilean was happy and maintained that qualification for the next round was ‘on track’.
“We played a good game in which there was a lot of friction on a difficult pitch, which was very heavy and muddy,” he told reporters, before admitting that his players appeared to lower their intensity at 2-0 up and allowed the hosts back into the game.
However, the former Real Madrid and Villarreal boss said he was not overly concerned at having conceded goals.
“It’s always important not to concede but the main thing is to win and the other thing is to score goals away from home,” declared Pellegrini, who denied accusations he had fielded a weakened side as ‘six of the team played against Espanyol at the weekend’.
He also rejected suggestions he had substituted left-back Jurado because Cacereno winger Chapi was causing him all sorts of problems down the right-hand side.
“He had flu,” was Pellegrini’s explanation.
Opposite number Julio Cobos praised his players’ performance and refuses to believe the tie is over before the return leg at La Rosaleda.
“I have to commend the attitude of my team because we didn’t leave our souls out there on the pitch. It is not over yet.
“Malaga are a very good side but we’ve worked hard this season and were rewarded with three goals against a Primera outfit,” commented Cobos.
