Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini has heaped praise on his side for keeping clear heads in their 2-0 victory over FC Porto which clinched their place in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
Trailing 1-0 after the first leg defeat in Portugal, Malaga responded with Isco netting a stunning first-half goal, before Roque Santa Cruz completed the win with a 77th minute header.
“My players’ hearts were beating fast but at the same time they had clear heads,” Pellegrini said.
“Isco’s goal brought a sense of calm and from then on we started to play well with the ball. We played a complete game.
“We are now among the best eight teams in Europe and we will continue to fight to get through to the semi-finals.”
Porto manager Vitor Pereira bemoaned the red card given to midfielder Steven Dufour early in the second half.
“Defour’s sending-off and João Moutinho’s injury influenced the match,” he said.
“Málaga played very aggressively, especially from the middle of the first half, in front of their supporters, and the yellow cards we collected hindered our football. Moutinho started to feel uncomfortable and they scored right at the end of the first half.
“Then the second started with the red card for Defour and the game became more difficult.”