Malaga have been the surprise package in the champions league this season as they are yet to lose a game and are on top of their group.
No one would have thought things would turn this great for Malaga. In the summer, the club was under dark clouds. They were experiencing financial difficulties and was not even able to pay wages to the players.
That led to upheaval and uncertainty for both the players and the fans alike. Some players protested while others opted for the exit door.
The club also sold some of its key players: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 for a fee of 15m Euros.
If you thought that was enough for Malaga, then think again. Football authorities in the Primera Division imposed transfer bans on the club after failing to pay the transfer fees for players.
On top of that, Europe’s football governing body, UEFA, withheld the prize money the team was supposed to receive after they qualified for the Champions League.
At that time, it seemed nothing was going in favour of the club and some were even predicting an impending doom and decline for the Andalusians.
It wasn’t to be that way. Somehow, the club managed to steer through the storm and miraculously they came out unscathed.
All of that is now a thing of the past. Malaga is enjoying a dream run in Europe. Since this was the first time they ever qualified for the Champions League, some thought Malaga will just skid by as they don’t have the necessary experience deemed important
in Europe’s elite competition.
They have silenced their doubters and critics. In fact, they even exceeded the expectations of the most loyal fans.
In their first four games, they managed to win three and draw one, picking up ten points and conceding just a single goal.
This is a feat that is even difficult to achieve for the most experienced sides in this competition.
On top of that, they managed to outmuscle the Italian giants, AC Milan. Defeating them at home and sharing the spoils with them at the San Siro.
However, everything comes with a price. Because of their involvement in the Champions League, Malaga took their eyes off the ball in the domestic league.
The Spanish underdogs picked up two home defeats against Rayo Vallecano and Real Sociedad in the Primera Division. It is a feat of results that showed the frailties of such small team like Malaga, with a limited squad.
It is a development that is concerning coach, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Manuel-c23383 Pellegrini.
He knows their great form and performance in the domestic league last season was what enabled them to come to the Champions League this season and if they want to continue playing in this elite competition, they have to do well in La Liga.
"I want to get back up the Liga table where we are in eighth place, as to play in the Champions League next season too we have to do well domestically,” he said this few weeks back.”
Pellegrini finally got his things sorted out in La Liga, as his players worked and managed to come away with a point against Osasuna.
How far Malaga can go will be determined by how they perform in the last-16.
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