Malaga players Ignacio Camacho, Willy Caballero and Duda have warned of the dangers posed by Milan before the teams clash on Wednesday.
Los Blanquiazules face the Italian giants knowing a win in their Champions League group game would almost secure a place in the knockout stages of the competition.
Even so, despite Massimiliano Allegri’s team having had a woeful start to the Serie A season and sitting in 15th place, Manuel Pellegrini’s men are wary of the quality in the Milan team.
“Although they are having a bad time Milan are still a historic club and we must show them all the respect in the world,” Camacho told assembled reporters.
“Italian teams play a more tactical game and they have some great footballers such as Bojan, who is doing very well.”
Argentine goalkeeper Willy Caballero concurred with Camacho, saying ‘we need to play well and maintain respect for an opponent with such a long history as Milan’.
“It is a historic match so there will be lots of motivation, but there will be no fear as playing against great teams motivates everyone,” he continued.
“When we qualified for the Champions League we thought of doing well in the competition, not just taking part, and now we are thinking of reaching the next stage, which hopefully we will do by finishing first or second.”
Sergio Paulo Barbosa, known as Duda, agreed with both Camacho and Caballero.
“Maybe they are not at their best right now but they still have great players and a great squad,” said the Portuguese midfielder.
“They are a very tough opponent and will not make it easy, so we will have to be at our very best. If we win we have a great chance of getting into the last 16, although there is still a lot to play for.
“However, it is Milan who will be under the greater pressure, the same as the other two teams in the group who have not got the points they would have liked.”
