Manuel Pellegrini, coach of second place in the Primera Division, Malaga, hopes that his players to not be taken away from their Champions League debut against Russian champion Zenit St. Petersburg.
The Chilean claims that the group from La Rosaleda expected with maximum concentration to host the 2008 UEFA Cup winner and says that Malaga have to work as much and keep the same attitude if they want to go further.
“The enthusiasm and euphoria surrounding this game are felt by fans and by entire city, and that is understandable. It’s the first time when we are playing in the Champions League, but the team is focused on the game. If we want to go further in this competition we must continue to work and stay focused, “said Manuel Pellegrini at a press conference.
Malaga is part of the Group C of the Champions League alongside Anderlecht Brussels, Zenit St Petersburg and AC Milan. In 2006, Pellegrini coached Villarreal, team in that moment played for the first time in this competition. Then, the Yellow Submarine reached to the semifinals, where they lost in front of Arsenal.
The football match between Malaga and Zenit St. Petersburg will be played this evening, September 18, starting at 20:45, on the La Rosaleda Stadium.