Getafe vs Malaga preview - Pellegrini issues Malaga warning

Posted Saturday, March 03, 2012 by PA

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini has warned his side they need to improve their away form if they are to lock up a European place for next season.

Pellegrini takes his side to Getafe sixth in the table and only one point from Levante in fourth, high enough to earn a place in the Champions League qualifiers.

But they have taken only eight points from 12 away games this season, something Pellegrini knows must improve.

"We are not doing well away from home," he said. "We have not had the same fortune or accuracy away from our stadium, but hopefully we can add some points against Getafe.

"They are dedicated team and we always have a close game against them. It will be difficult because they have good players."

With his side riding high in the standings, talk of Europe is understandably dominating, but Pellegrini is keen to take things one step at a time.

"There are still a lot of games left," he said. "Everybody is talking about our position, but we are concerned with improving our game and then at the end we will see where we are in the standings and hopefully we will be in Europe.

"But we have to extract ourselves from the week-to-week pressure."

Pellegrini is optimistic both Jesus Gamez and Joaquin will be fit to play but Julio Baptista is still short of fitness.

Malaga will play a Getafe side eight places but only five points behind them in the congested Primera Division standings.

The combination of their own solid home form - they have lost only twice at home this season - and Malaga's problems on the road mean they can approach the game with confidence.

Getafe lost to Malaga in their league meeting earlier this season and also over two legs in the Copa del Rey, but only narrowly both times.

"This Malaga team is a great team with some very good players," said striker Dani Guiza. "But we were a thorn in their side in the cup and in the league, so we want to get a great win for our fans."