Despite going through a difficult time, the Greek club, coached by Jesualdo Ferreira, has a lot of experience in European competition.  However this is a handicap that Málaga coach Manuel Pellegrini has been trying to overcome with the team since his arrival, and which he achieved when the team finished in fourth place last season in the League.
 
Numerous Málaga players have previous experience in the Champions League, including Demichelis, Toulalan, Joaquín and Isco.  Málaga previously went to Athens in the UEFA Cup – where they’ll play the return leg next Tuesday – and set a good precedent by defeating AEK by 0-1.
 
The main objective of tonight’s match is to get a good result, so the team can be a little more relaxed for the return leg in Greece next week.