Malaga Coach Manuel Pellegrini has refused to blame their Champions League exertions for the loss to Espanyol on Sunday.
Goals from Diego Colotto and Sergio Garcia gave the Periquitos the three points at La Rosaleda.
But the Chilean tactician does not believe their continuing progress in Europe is affecting their League performances.
“We knew that the further we got in the Champions League the harder it would be,” he told a Press conference.
“Obviously it's hard to play weekdays and then weekends, but I do not think that was the only factor for our loss.
“We had a good first half – we controlled the game and moved the ball well.
“In the second half they scored and then defended with eight at the back, hitting us on the counter-attack.”
