Zaragoza vs Malaga preview - Pellegrini not underestimating Zaragoza - 7M sport

Zaragoza vs Malaga preview - Pellegrini not underestimating Zaragoza



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Posted Sunday, September 25, 2011 by PA

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini is expecting a tough challenge as his side look to continue their impressive form when they take on Real Zaragoza at La Romareda.

The spotlight was on Malaga coming into the season following their heavy summer investment and, following an opening-day 2-1 defeat to Sevilla, they have now started to click into gear with successive victories over Granada, Real Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao leaving them third in the Primera Division table.

Spain international Santi Cazorla, who cost a reported 20 million euros from Villarreal, looks to be settling in well with four goals already, while at the back Malaga have not conceded in 334 minutes since the opening round.

Malaga will now be expected to continue their good start against a Zaragoza side who have picked up four points from their four games, but Pellegrini is remaining cautious.

"It's a difficult game, as every team wants to assure themselves of the points on their own ground, and even though they have had some strange games, they have always shown spirit, like in the last game against Betis when they were losing 2-0 and 4-1, but never gave up and pressed to the end," he said of Thursday's match, which Zaragoza lost 4-3 to the league leaders.

"We will have to have a very good game if we want to pick up points in Zaragoza."

Regarding the aims for his side, the former Real Madrid and Villarreal boss said on the Malaga website: "For us it is very important to win the next game to maintain our current position and continue at the top, but I'm reluctant to give an objective for the team because our goal is to win each week."

Zaragoza started their season in miserable fashion with a 6-0 home loss to Real Madrid, but they recovered from that by picking up four points from their games against Rayo Vallecano and Espanyol.

Thursday's defeat at in-form Betis was a setback but, after trailing 4-1 with more than 40 minutes to go, it could have been worse for Javier Aguirre's men.

"The least we can ask for is that the team gives everything on the pitch, and they did that," said Aguirre following the loss.

"The team has a solid foundation and good habits and conduct, although we need to improve the play."



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