Malaga will be going all out to take the three points against AC Milan in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League match, said coach Manuel Pellegrini on Monday.
Malaga have been the surprise thus far of this season’s tournament in their first Champions League campaign winning all three of their matches, including a 1-0 home win over Milan last month, to sit atop of Group C. A win on Tuesday will guarantee Malaga a spot in the knockout stages:
“Milan don’t worry us, in spite of last weekend’s 5-1 home win [over Serie A rivals Chievo],” said Pellegrini.
“We are not Chievo, even if we accept that the match will not be easy,” he added. “We will be playing to win. Milan has a huge tradition, but it is not history we are playing against, we proved that in our home match,” added the 59-year-old Chilean.
Málaga’s defeat the weekend was their first home defeat since March and it also ended their run of 11 games unbeaten at La Rosaleda.
Malaga Team news
Jérémy Toulalan has recovered from the hamstring injury which has sidelined him since 23 September and has been named in the matchday squad. Nacho Monreal (back), Júlio Baptista (Achilles) and Recio (virus) miss out.
AC Milan Team News
Robinho has resumed training earlier than expected following the thigh injury he suffered on 16 October. Luca Antonini, however, is still out with a similar problem.