Atletico de Madrid vs Malaga preview - Pellegrini keeping targets small

Posted Saturday, May 07, 2011 by PA

Two in-form teams meet at the Vicente Calderon Stadium on Saturday needing the points for very different reasons.

While Atletico Madrid look set for a Europa League place for next season and will be out to cement that position, a poor first half of the season has left Malaga still needing a strong finish to the season to ensure their Primera Division future.

Manuel Pellegrini's side lie 15th, just two points ahead of Getafe in the final relegation place, but face a difficult test away to a team who have taken 13 points from the last 15 available.

A draw, on paper, would therefore appear to be a good result but Pellegrini warned: "It will depend on other results.

"I think a draw in Madrid would be good if we cannot win, but we will go all out to get the three points from the outset.

"This is a good spell for us and we face a team that also is having a good time.

"The quality of 'Kun' and all players from Atletico Madrid are not going to find, but we cannot only focus on 'Kun' Aguero. They are fighting for a European place and produce good players."

Javier Malagueno misses out after surgery on a knee cartilage problem and defensive colleague Weligton is suspended.

Atletico have a doubt over forward Diego Costa, but coach Quique Sanchez Flores said: "He has trained well and is in good shape and I think he will be available 100%.

"And for this kind of game we need all our players to be 100%. These are games in which we expect our rivals to give everything you have to in a game - high intensity, concentration - and they will be tough and difficult."

Malage themselves go into the game on a three-match winning run and Sanchez Flores continued: "We are in good form but Malaga are also one of the best teams in the second half of the season.

"It will be a tough game against opponents who have much more to offer than they showed in the first part of the season. We will have to be careful and if we win it will be a good result."