Málaga eyes Milan scalp

Málaga is living the dream. Just a few months after the very existence of the club was in question, the south coast team is third in La Liga with one loss from eight and just five goals conceded. In Europe, in its inaugural Champions League campaign, it tops Group C with two 3-0 wins under its belt — against Zenit at home and Anderlecht in the imposing Constant Vanden Stock in Brussels.

On Wednesday (8.45pm, Canal+ Liga2), Málaga plays perhaps the most glamorous match in the club's history when second-placed AC Milan visits La Rosaleda. Not counting the Intertoto Cup, Málaga has played 14 matches in official European competitions, spread over its quarterfinal run in the 2002-03 Uefa Cup.

Milan has played 233 times alone in Europe's premier club tournament, banging in 397 goals. Málaga has scored 17, but has only conceded four times and has 10 clean sheets in continental competition.

Under normal circumstances, this match would be a foregone conclusion. But there is little normal about Málaga this season, and even less so at Milan, seven times the European champion. Manuel Pellegrini's side is playing with wild abandon, scoring freely and displaying all the attacking verve that its opponent currently lacks.

We aren't scared of Milan; it's the most important fixture in the history of the club"

Massimiliano Allegri's players were ordered to the club's Milanello training complex after another Serie A defeat to Lazio left the rossoneri languishing just above the relegation zone with five losses from its opening eight games. The doors were then bolted and Allegri's misfiring stars told they would be going nowhere until the match against Málaga.

"I assume responsibility for this action but I do not know whether it will help," vice president Adriano Galliani said. "However, in the meantime, all of the players will be able to think about what is happening right now."

If Málaga is to cover its name in glory, now is its chance. Milan may be out of sorts, but it is still Milan, and victory would add further luster to what is shaping up to be a remarkable opening to the season. "We aren't scared of Milan," said the in-form Joaquín ahead of the game. "If we win the three points, it will almost assure us of a place in the last 16. It's the most important fixture in the history of the club."