AC Milan vs Malaga preview - Demichelis hoping for Milan scalp

Posted Tuesday, November 06, 2012 by PA

Malaga defender Martin Demichelis hopes his side can continue making history on Wednesday night by securing themselves a last-16 berth in their maiden Champions League campaign when they take on AC Milan.

The Spanish novices have won all three of their Group C games so far without conceding a goal - the only team to do so - and have opened up a five-point gap over second-placed Milan heading into the trip to Italy.

With Zenit St Petersburg a point further back in third and rock-bottom Anderlecht on one point, Malaga could assure themselves of a top-two finish and a place in the knockout stages with a victory over seven-time European champions Milan.

Demichelis, who was runner-up with Bayern Munich in 2010, knows the prize on offer to the Andalusians, but is also wary of the threat posed by a Milan side who have picked up seven points from three Serie A games since losing at Malaga last month.

"We need to be conscious that it's going to be a very difficult game. For them it's like a final, they need the three points but we have the chance to seal our passage and to do something historic for Malaga," said Demichelis.

A draw at the San Siro would leave Malaga with at least a four-point advantage heading into the final two group games, but Demichelis insists his side's first objective is to try and get a win.

"To go out looking for a draw would mean there's a good chance you will lose. We are going to go out looking for the three points," the Argentina international said in Marca.

"If, after that, you can't win, then a draw wouldn't be too bad."

Malaga go into the match on the back of a surprise 2-1 home league defeat to Rayo Vallecano at the weekend, a result which saw Manuel Pellegrini's side slip to fourth in the standings.

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri is not reading too much into that result though, which was only Malaga's second defeat in 16 competitive games this season.

"Even though they lost against Rayo Vallecano, it's clear that they haven't lost their quality in one week," said Allegri, whose side lost to a second-half Joaquin Sanchez goal at La Rosaleda a fortnight ago.

"They're a team with great technical quality, which they showed at home and we have to improve in attack with respect to that game."

Milan have started to turn things around after a poor start to the season and Saturday's 5-1 home win over Chievo lifted them up to 11th on 14 points.

Allegri added: "We are good physically and now we are gaining confidence. The victory over Chievo was important, above all to continue chasing the teams who are fighting for fourth and fifth place, but we have to continue working."