Demichelis upbeat after Dortmund draw

Malaga’s Martin Demichelis remains optimistic about their chances of reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League.

The Argentine defender realises that the La Liga club faces a tough task to secure progress at the Westfalenstadion next week after a 0-0 first leg at home to Borussia Dortmund.

But Demichelis said he is confident his side can get the crucial away goal required – as that would mean Dortmund would have to win in regulation.

“Amongst the positive things from this performance is that we didn’t concede,” he told Uefa.com.

“OK, it’ll be difficult in Dortmund, a stadium where you always come under a great deal of pressure.

“But my view, from experience, is that while we’ll show them respect we won’t go to Germany suffering any kind of fear about what might happen.

“The tie is still totally open. It’s also only 11 versus 11 and there are thousands of examples in this competition to say that we can go to Dortmund and score. We did so at San Siro, we did so in Russia and I see no reason why we shouldn’t do so again in Germany.

“Dortmund are a dangerous, high-quality side but our squad is full of real men. We’ll take the battle to them over there.

“In this leg they might have had the more dangerous chances but we had our moments and we only lacked that clinical, finishing touch.

“We got ourselves time to be comfortable on the ball as the match went on and we made life complicated for them.

“The tie will be decided by who makes the fewer mistakes next time. We’ll show intensity and belief to have a go at making the last four. We’ll give it everything.”

Malaga will resume domestic action on Saturday when they take on Real Sociedad.