Paris: Spanish side Malaga defeated experienced European campaigners Panathinaikos 2-0 on Wednesday to edge closer to a much-needed, lucrative first appearance in the Champions League group stages.
Sport | Football
Malaga eye Champions League breakthrough
Sporting Braga hold Udinese to 1-1 draw at home
- AFP
- Published: 14:37 August 23, 2012
- Image Credit: AFP
- Eliseu
Malaga, who spent nearly 60 million euros (Dh295 million) on new players last year, have put the brakes on spending this summer and badly need the financial impetus the tournament provides.
Panathinaikos, coached by former Malaga boss Jesualdo Ferreira, were undone by first-half goals from Argentine defender Martin Demichelis and Portuguese midfielder Eliseu.
Malaga fans greeted the players’ entry to the pitch with a giant banner that read, “What our grandparents never witnessed, our children are about to see.”
That desire will become stronger next week if Malaga get the job done in the second leg of the play-off tie in Greece.
Elsewhere on Wednesday, Ismaily cancelled out Dusan Basta’s first-half opener as Sporting Braga drew 1-1 at home to Udinese.
AEL Limassol edged Anderlecht 2-1 with Dosa Junior and Rui Miguel’s goals sandwiching a Dieudonne Mbokani’s second-half equaliser for the Belgians.
Dynamo Zagreb skipper Milan Badelj scored the winner in the 2-1 victory over Maribor of Slovenia, having earlier put through his own goal.
The 23-year-old will join Hamburg in the German Bundesliga once next week’s second leg is completed
Belarusian side BATE Borisov defeated Israeli debutants Hapoel Kiryat Shmona 2-0 in the night’s other game.
Multimedia
Sport Editor's choice
-
Emirates increases PSG sponsorship deal
Dubai airline and French champions revel in mutually beneficial global recognition
-
Bayern eye more records in league finale
Manager Jupp Heynckes to sign off at the club where he started his career
-
Sreesanth: Indian cricket’s fall guy
He slipped from fame to shame repeatedly pressing the self destruction button