Malaga vs Zaragoza preview - Pellegrini hopeful of climbing table

Posted Saturday, January 29, 2011 by PA

Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini is optimistic his team can start to climb the table again after their descent into the relegation zone.

On Saturday at La Rosaleda they take on a Real Zaragoza side who have jumped out of the bottom three after winning their last three home matches.

Malaga ran out 5-3 winners when the two sides met in Zaragoza earlier this season, but both teams have changed coach since then following miserable spells in the first half of the campaign, with Pellegrini and Javier Aguirre coming in.

Pellegrini's side have suffered back-to-back defeats against Barcelona and Valencia which has seen them take a tumble in the standings.

"Zaragoza are in a similar situation to us, so we know it will be a complicated match," said Pellegrini.

"But the team looks strong in a lot of aspects and I hope that will be reflected on the pitch."

Pellegrini will be without suspended duo Apono and Weligton through suspension.

Malaga have signed a host of players in the current transfer window - including Martin Demichelis, Julio Baptista and Enzo Maresca - and the Andalusian club may bring in one or two new faces before next week's deadline.

Zaragoza, meanwhile, have signed Senegal midfielder Guirane N'Daw for a minimal fee, but the club have no money to make any further acquisitions in the January sales.

Nevertheless, coach Aguirre hopes his side's recent success at home can provide the momentum for some positivity on their travels.

"We have been playing without conviction in our away matches, but the players have started to believe in their own abilities after the wins at home," Aguirre said.

"The team now feels capable of going to Malaga and winning the three points."