Champions League: Malaga’s Isco can unlock Dortmund defence
Published:Malaga may be the big 6/1 outsiders to win their quarter-final second leg against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday but there are several reasons to consider backing the Spanish outfit.
They were solid enough in holding Dortmund to a goalless draw in the first leg last week (although the visitors had by far the better of the chances) but will find things a lot trickier out in Germany.
Dortmund have lost just one of their last nine home games prior to Sunday’s clash with Augsburg and won all of the other eight.
However, with a score draw being enough to see them through on away goals, Malaga may mix things up slightly for this second leg.
One change they look set to make is to start with playmaker Isco through the middle of the park where he can cause maximum damage to the Bundesliga side.
He played out wide in the first leg where he struggled to get into the game for long periods and was nowhere near as influential as he has been for much of his debut Champions League campaign.
Malaga registered just six shots all game compared to Dortmund’s 13 but much of their good attacking play came through Isco, with the Spaniard having one fierce shot saved and a though ball being inches away from finding striker Javier Saviola.
If the 20-year-old Spaniard can get on the ball more often and in more central positions then he is certainly capable of causing Dortmund problems.
Backing Malaga to win at 6/1 may be a bit of a long shot but, if Isco starts through the middle rather than out wide on Tuesday, then it may be worth a cheeky couple of quid.
