First half goals from Martin Demichelis and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Eliseu-c12315 gave Los Anchovies a well deserved victory against Greek outfit, Panathinaikos, in their UEFA Champions League playoff first leg.
Malaga coach, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Manuel-c23383 Pellegrini, was pleased after the troubled La Liga outfit managed to put one foot in UEFA Champions League group stage qualification. The Chilean tactician revealed that he was happy with the victory against Panathinaikos but is cautious
ahead of the second leg in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Greece-c2908.
With the uncertain nature of European away fixtures in mind, Pellegrini shared that they will start the second leg encounter with an attacking mentality and seek a goal from the starting whistle.
Pellegrini hailed the importance of an away goal, stating that it will allow that to continue their romance with Champions League. A goal on their travels will mean that Panathinaikos have to score four in reply to get a place at their expense.
“It is not a definitive result so we'll go to Greece to find a goal from minute one that requires them to score four to go," the coach said after the game while speaking to Canal +.
Continuing on the topic, Pellegrini recognized the good efforts put in by his pupils as the stand at the brink of making history. After registering their best La Liga finish the previous season, Malaga will compete in a European competition for the first
time since the inception of the club.
The former Villarreal coach also took notice of the off-field problems afflicting the Andalusian club, stating that the players should be praised for their performance in the acrimonious conditions they find themselves in at the moment.
"I had to face the match with maturity although young players we have. Having spoken to have patience, and more in the conditions we have arrived, the team deserves congratulations for the effort," he added.
"I'm very happy. We Knew they are tough opponents and we have exceeded especially in the first half, which ended with a good score (2-0) in addition to a clean sheet. We worked hard trying to get as much as possible for the goal as we knew that we could
defend it. I am satisfied," Pellegrini concluded.
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