External forces worry Pellegrini as Malaga seek historic win

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini is worried the fevered build-up to tonight’s Champions League last-16 second-leg tie against Porto could get the better of his side.

The match has been billed as the biggest in Malaga’s century-old history as they bid to overturn a 1-0 deficit and book their place in the quarter-finals for the first time. The southern Spanish city has been gripped by a debut Champions League campaign that had seen their side go unbeaten — and beat AC Milan to win their group — until defeat in Porto last month.

The importance of the game has been heightened further following UEFA’s decision to ban them from European competition — should they qualify in the next four years — due to unpaid bills.