Malaga out to monster Milan

Malaga’s Manuel Pellegrini said his side will go all out against AC Milan to ensure qualification to the Champions League knockout stage.

The Spanish side have been the surprise packet of the Champions League’s Group C, leading Milan, Zenit St Petersburg and Anderlecht with nine points from three games.

Pellegrini’s side have scored seven times and are the only team yet to concede a goal in the competition’s group stage.

And Pellegrini said his team’s approach would change little for the trip to the Milan’s intimidating San Siro stadium.

“What I am sure is if a team is looking for a draw, that team loses,” Pellegrini said.

“I have no doubt about that, and also this team is not created to go for a draw, it has never thought in a draw (kind of mentality).

“We will play our game from the beginning, to get the three points, to secure the qualification in here.

“Our main goal is not holding the result, but trying to beat Milan playing football.

Seven-time European champions Milan appear to have arrested their poor form from early in the season having defeated Chievo 5-1 in the Serie A on Saturday, but Pellegrino is unfazed by their opponent’s history in the competition.

“I think the tradition and history that Milan has in the Champions League is not gifted, they gained it through many games at home and away, and Malaga has less history, but the history is not playing,” he said.

“We showed in Malaga that we are a team, which can try to be competitive in the group stage, as maybe most people thought we were just participating.

“But we find we have nine points, and tomorrow the history won’t be playing, it will be Milan against Malaga.”

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri stopped short of declaring Tuesday a must-win game despite trailing Malaga by five points although he conceded the Spanish side already had one foot in the next round.

“Tomorrow’s match is going to be difficult, but it isn’t the decisive match to qualify. I believe this round will be decided only in the last match,” Allegri said.

“According to the matches to play and the points we, Zenit and Malaga have, I believe Malaga has more chances to qualify, but at the same time everything is still open.

“In order to win this round, we should win three matches and this may also not be enough.

“As regards to qualification, the negative result in Malaga has decreased our chances to rank first, but if we manage to win tomorrow, everything would be solved.”

“Compared to the match in Malaga (AC Milan lost 1-0), now we’re in very good physical conditions. In addition to this, AC Milan is gaining more and more confidence. It isn’t easy to play at San Siro stadium.”