Malaga are on the verge of booking their place in the next round of the Champions League after holding on for a 1-1 draw against AC MIlan at the San Siro. Eliseu scored just before halftime and Pato equalized for Milan with just over 25 minutes left as Los Boquerones were able to survive a 19 shot onslaught from the Italians.
AC Milan vs. Malaga: Final Score 1-1, Anchovies hold on for a draw against Milan
Malaga conceded their first goal of the group stages, but did enough to hold on for a draw. The result moves Malaga to the verge of qualifying for the Round of 16.
Milan's best chance came in the 26th minute after Pato was fouled, giving the Rossoneri a set piece in the attacking third. Urby Emanuelson's free kick looked destined for the upper left corner of the goal, but was pushed away for a corner by an excellent save from a fully extended Wilfredo Caballero.
Malaga took the lead five minutes from halftime. Isco went right through the Milan defense, running past a couple half-hearted challenges before finding Eliseu who'd snuck in behind Kevin Constant and beat Christian Abbiati with a low shot to the far post. Constant will likely hear it from his head coach at the break after he moved way to far inside and left a ton of open space on the right side of the box for Eliseu to run in to.
Milan poured on the pressure in the second, unleashing shot after shot at the Malaga defense until they finally broke through in the 73rd minute. Constant got in deep on the left side before lofting a cross to the far post that found Pato who lept to meet the ball and headed it down in to the goal. Caballero might have had a chance to make the save, but his own defender Martín Demichelis managed to block his path as he attempted to make a play on the ball.
The goal was the first Malaga has conceded in the group stages.
Milan couldn’t find the winner though, despite continuing their attack and the match finished in a 1-1 draw. It’s a great result for Malaga who keep their five point advantage at the top of the group. Milan remain in second place but still have some work to do to ensure they’ll have a chance to move on as well.
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