MALAGA: Manager Manuel Pellegrini is keen on Malaga's prospects, after witnessing his team dispatch Levante 3-1 this morning to extend their unbeaten start to the Primera Liga campaign.

After enduring a tumultuous summer involving club ownership and financial issues, the Andalusian outfit continued putting their off-pitch troubles to the back of their mind - thanks to goals from Javier Saviola, Joaquin and Francisco Portillo.

"Levante are a very skilled team who know how to sit back and defend while also being able to finish clinically on the counter-attack," acknowledged Pellegrini.

"Overall it was an important victory over a tough opponent, one where we exhibited an ability to score three goals.

"The team will arrive emotionally ready to prove their worth against Zenit St. Petersburg on Tuesday (in the Champions League), over the course of the match,” said the Chilean.

Malaga have been drawn in Group C in the Champions League with Zenit, AC Milan and Anderlecht.

- mD