Champions League: Malaga host Dortmund in quarter-final first leg

Malaga will look to continue their remarkable UEFA Champions League debut by taking a step closer to the semi-finals when they entertain Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night.

The Spanish side have already conquered two previous winners in AC Milan and Porto on their way to the last eight and will face another in 1997 champions Dortmund. The first leg at La Rosaleda will mark the first meeting between the two sides as well as the first time the hosts have encountered German opposition in Europe. Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini will be hoping to emulate his achievement with former club Villarreal on their debut season in the Champions League back in 2005-06, when they reached the semi-finals. But the Qatari-backed side, in Spain's Second Division just five years ago, face a formidable task, with Dortmund flying high in second place in the Bundesliga, having won five of their last seven games in all competitions. They also have the dangerous Robert Lewandowski in their ranks, with the in-form striker having scored in his last nine Bundesliga outings - a record for a Dortmund player. Should Jurgen Klopp's men progress it would mark the first time since 1998 that the German side have reached the final four. Despite their lofty standing in the Bundesliga, they sit 20 points behind leaders Bayern Munich, with the title beyond their grasp, and will be focused firmly on Europe ahead of Wednesday night's clash.Malaga's Portuguese winger Eliseu has been ruled out with a knee ligament injury and will not feature for the hosts. Centre-back Diego Lugano is likely to return after he was rested for the weekend win at Rayo Vallecano in La Liga. Ignacio Camacho and Duda are also back in contention after suspensions.Dortmund defender Marcel Schmelzer will need a facemask but is likely to play despite breaking his nose in a 2-1 win over Stuttgart, while midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski has travelled but is nursing a groin injury. Midfielders Sven Bender and Kevin Grosskreutz are doubts with ankle problems and Mats Hummels (also ankle) is certain to miss out. Lewandowski, who has netted 13 time in 13 games, will lead the line, supported by Mario Goetze and Marco Reus, who is expected to have recovered from a knock to the ribs.