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Baptista: Malaga are confident of progressing
Mar 12, 2013 5:45:00 PM
The Brazil international hopes the club's fans will enjoy the historic night at La Rosaleda as the team look to reach the Champions League last eight for the first time
| Bet: | Returns: | Malaga £23.75 | Draw £36.00 | Deportivo La Coruña £30.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Malaga £24.00 | Draw £34.00 | Deportivo La Coruña £28.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Malaga £23.00 | Draw £34.00 | Deportivo La Coruña £29.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Malaga £22.50 | Draw £35.00 | Deportivo La Coruña £30.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Malaga £23.70 | Draw £34.00 | Deportivo La Coruña £28.70 |
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The Spanish side lost 1-0 in Portugal in the first leg, but former Real Madrid star Baptista feels the team have what it takes to turn the tie around.
"I think we’re more than capable of gaining the advantage on the scoreboard here at our home ground," he told reporters.
"We need to score a goal, but the important thing is being confident that it is possible. It’ll be tough, but we’re going to make things as hard as we can for Porto.
"They’re going to focus on imposing their style of football. We are the ones who can turn it around to our advantage.
"We’ll make the difference with our attitude, game play and intensity. These factors will turn the result around from the first leg."
Manuel Pellegrini's side have never played a knockout match at home in Europe's premier club competition, and Brazil international Baptista believes the players will make it a night to remember for the supporters.
"This is an historic match for Malaga. We’re absolutely determined and full of positivity and motivation, as are the fans, ahead of tomorrow night’s game," he continued.
"The fans will really enjoy the match and we’ll be doing everything in our power to ensure we get the result we’re all hoping for."
The 31-year-old has been struggling with a thigh strain and was rated as a slight doubt for Wednesday's match, but he insisted he is ready to play a full part in the encounter.
He added: "I’m feeling fine, I trained all week, I just think it was a muscle overload injury I sustained through fatigue. If the coach thinks I should play tomorrow, then I’m definitely match-fit."
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Champions League final - LIVE!
German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.
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Right, still plenty of time to go until kick-off, so why not get involved in our Champions League quiz on Twitter? Here's one to start you off:
After tonight, how many Champions League/European Cup finals will Bayern Munich have played in?
After tonight, how many Champions League/European Cup finals will Bayern Munich have played in?
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Bayern, as already alluded to, are desperate to atone for defeat against Chelsea 12 months ago and one man who knows all about the agony and ecstasy of Champions League finals is former die Roten defender Samuel Kuffour. The Ghanaian beating the ground in fury after seeing his side concede twice in injury time at the end of the 1999 tournament decider against Manchester United remains one of the most memorable images in the competition’s history, so check out our exclusive interview with Kuffour, who would achieve redemption just two years later when Bayern edged out Valencia on penalties.
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However, who doesn't feel anything by admiration for Jupp Heynckes? The Bayern coach learned earlier this year that he would be replaced by former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola earlier this summer but did he let it affect him? Not a bit, with Heynckes now on the verge of a historic treble. Worth noting, too, that Heynckes, who led Madrid to the title in 1998 before being replaced by Fabio Capello, has never failed to reach the final of any Champions League in which he has taken part.
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Klopp, of course, is the new darling of the football media. It’s pretty damn impossible not to love a man who speaks so passionately - and amusingly - about the game. This week alone he admitted that so distraught was he by the news of Gotze’s imminent departure for Bayern, whom he views as the villain in a James Bond movie, that he had to cancel plans with his wife to attend a movie premiere because he didn’t want to have to talk to anyone. Seriously, how could any real football fan not be a 'Klopptomist'?!
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We’re still awaiting the confirmed line-ups but if you’re looking for the likely starting 11s, let me point you in the direction of our match preview. Also, if you want an excellent and entertaining analysis of tonight’s fascinating final, well, how does a James Richardson-hosted debate involving Jonathan Wilson and Paulo Sousa tickle your fancy? The prince of puns, a true titan of tactical thinking and a two-time Champions League winner - a veritable dream team, I think you'll agree.
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