Pellegrini shrugs off Real return

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini has insisted that he has nothing to prove as he prepares to face former club Real Madrid on Saturday.

The Chilean manager spent the 2009/10 La Liga season in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu but – despite recording the club’s highest-ever points total – was removed and replaced by Jose Mourinho.

But the 58-year-old does not feel that facing his former employers adds any extra pressure to the fixture.

“I have nothing to prove to Mourinho; I had many opportunities to go to other sides and (to go to Real Madrid) was one of the best decisions I have made in my life,” he told Marca.

“We will not let go of everything we know, (we will) take precautions but try to play our football. Real will always be favourite in every game, but they have to prove it.”

Pellegrini knows his opposition players well from his time at Real Madrid, but he does not feel this will be an advantage.

“It does not matter that I know the players. Everyone knows the ability of the players and knows (their) strengths and weaknesses,” he said.

Cristiano Ronaldo has started this season as he ended the last, scoring seven goals in six La Liga appearances this season.

But despite the Portugal international’s quality, Pellegrini knows that he is not the only threat to his side.

“Against Real Madrid we will have more space than against other teams. It would be a mistake to solely focus on Cristiano, as they (have) Kaka, (Mesut) Oezil, (Gonzalo) Higuain. We will work collectively against Madrid,” Pellegrini said.

Malaga – who have considerably strengthened their squad on the back of their increased spending power under owner Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani – have won four of their first seven matches this season and will look for the scalp of one of the El Clasico sides to announce themselves as top-four contenders.