FC Porto against Málaga

So far, Moutinho's goal is the moment that has made the difference.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0219/joaomoutinhoportomalagaceleb_275x155.jpg">

Again, Malaga stand firm. It hasn't been pretty, but you have to admire their discipline right across the team.

Porto motor forward from the free-kick - they definitely want a two-goal cushion here if they can get one.

Five minutes remaining here as Santa Cruz is penalised for backing into a defender.

Malaga in possession now, on the halfway line. But they are crowded out and Jackson Martinez comes forward before he is also thwarted.

And he does: Malaga can clear their lines. Forward come Porto again, and the visitors just hoof that one into the stands.

He'll have to look sharp again as Antunes does well to clear the danger for Malaga from another cross. Corner...

They cross, but Caballero deals with it well, palming the ball clear of danger.

Ten minutes to go, and still just the one goal in it. Porto would love a second, because the away leg in Spain is going to be tough.

Around ten minutes remaining, and Camacho introduces himself with a crunching tackle on Moutinho. Fair, though. And old-fashioned.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif">... and Camacho is on for Iturra.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Baptista makes way for on-loan Chelsea man Piazon...

The flag-kick doesn't bring anything, and Malaga are lining up some more changes here, it appears.

His clearance results in another Porto corner as we enter the last quarter of an hour.

Substitute Atsu made the run to draw the foul, and Moutinho's free-kick is met well by Toulalan.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> And he is given a yellow card for his pains. Dangerous free-kick, this, as well.

Free-kick for Malaga, which Isco floats in dangerously. Santa Cruz can't get there, and Porto come forward. Iturra stops them, clumsily.

Lovely play by Lucho Gonzalez gives him a crossing chance on the left for Porto. It's a low cut-back, and it's scrambled away.

Danilo can cross from the right - not for the first time, he gets it wrong and a low ball skids straight through to Caballero in the visitors' goal.

Toulalon has been good for Malaga this evening, and makes a neat and tidy escape out of defence despite Porto pressure.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> A second Porto change, with Izmailov making way for Atsu.

A good break down the left for Porto gives substitute Rodriguez a chance to cross. It's a poor one, though, and to nobody in particular.

And they won't do here - another foul in midfield, another free-kick to Porto.

Throw to Malaga around the halfway line. They still haven't mustered a real threat to the home goal.

Isco has the ball now - not for long, as his touch, usually so reliable, lets him down and it runs away from him.

Santa Cruz is adjudged to have fouled Fernando in a tussle outside the area. Free-kick to Porto, and possibly a sign of frustration from the striker, who has had very little to work with tonight.

Another ball forward looks for the same player, running towards the area, but it's cut out.

Toulalaon wins the ball and looks to set the visitors away down their right. He's hoping to find Portillo, but the home defenders see that one safely away.

Again Porto come forward from their own half, but Malaga just hammer that one away.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Portillo is on and Joaquin off as Pellegrini makes his first change of the night for Malaga.

Another corner for Porto. It's an outswinger, but there's a foul and Malaga have the free-kick.

And as if to illustrate that, they win another corner. It's from the left, but it's much too easy for the goalkeeper.

Bright play by the Porto substitute: there's a spring in their collective step at the moment following that breakthrough goal.

A good run by Rodriguez takes him to the edge of the area. He can shoot from here, and does, but shoots wide.

It looks as though a Malaga change could be in the offing as well, but that's on hold for now as they play the ball long. And in vain.

Gonzalez spreads the play to the right for Porto - good defending from Malaga thwarts Danilo as he tries to cross, though.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Varela is off and Rodriguez enters the fray.

So Porto's patience has been rewarded. They are about to make a change here.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL: And Fernando makes hay, putting in a great cross from the left. Moutinho sweeps home despite offside appeals from Malaga, and Porto have their breakthrough.</b>

Again, Malaga give possession away when they get it - this time Santa Cruz gets a lay-off wrong. And here come Porto...

Danilo comes forward and finds himself in another shooting position. But, and this is in keeping with what we've seen so far, he lashes that one wide.

Sandro does well to win the ball back for the home side - cue cheers from the stands.

But then a good cross comes in from the left towards Izmailov, who gets a foot to the ball but is unable to steer it on target.

Santa Cruz is harried out of possession on half-way, and again Porto will come forward. This, so far, is pretty much like an action replay of the first half.

Joaquin takes the flag-kick, and goalkeeper Helton claims well.

The ball falls to Isco, and then Sanchez flicks in a cross. Porto have to concede a corner.

This one will be swung into the area. Can they capitalise?

Santa Cruz does well on the right and gets the ball to Joaquin. He's sent crashing to the ground and Malaga have a rare attacking free-kick.

Baptista gets there with a fine header to clear his lines.

But forward they come again, and a Toulalon block means they have a corner...

Jackson Martinez makes his first run of the second half for Porto. Like so many of the runs he made in the first, it's in vain as the Malaga defenders stand firm again.

A low cross comes in from the right, and it's straight into the arms of waiting Malaga goalkeeper Caballero.

The home side are on the ball - they play it forward, but this one is wasteful.

No changes for either side as Porto get us under way.

Kick-off in the second half is just around the corner. The teams are out. Can Porto find a way through?

<b>And that's the half-time whistle: not many chances to speak of, but a very good evening for Malaga as it stands.</b>

Seconds left until the break now. Will the second half bring a breakthrough?

Then, as he did earlier, Izmailov goes on a skilful run just outside the area. His shot is miles wide in the end, though.

Jackson Martinez shows some frustration with a lunging challenge. Free-kick Malaga.

Two minutes left until the break - and there's some thinking for Porto to do if they are to crack the Malaga defence.

A long ball forward from Porto is far too long, and there are one or two grumbles from the stands at that one.

A foray forward for Malaga earns them a throw level with the edge of the Porto area. Could they snatch an unexpected goal here?

No, in a word. Malaga seem to have defenders in all the right places, all the time. This is a textbook defensive away performance... so far.

Five minutes or so until the break as Baptista gives another free-kick away. Porto are halfway inside the visitors' half - can they make anything of this one?

Danilo tries to take the initiative by attempting a curler from outside the area. It's well hit, but not all that close.

The visitors can hardly keep the ball when they do get it. Another loss of possession gives Jackson Martinez a chance to make something happen, but he gets his attempted cross all wrong.

Throw-in to Porto. They have had so much of the ball, but their frustrations so far are summed up when they quickly get themselves into an offside position.

Demichelis demonstrates his team's sheer determination, getting a toe on a dangerous ball forward to put it out of play with Porto threatening.

Again, Malaga do well and Isco brings it away. We've seen very little of the gifted playmaker so far. This isn't really his kind of evening.

It's almost hard to keep count of the number of Porto corners there have been in this first half. They have yet another, with ten minutes remaining until the interval.

It's another Porto corner, which is met by another demonstration of Malaga's defensive discipline.

A good ball forward to Martinez gives him a chance inside the area - but Sanchez makes a fine block inside the area.

Well, he could have done. In the end, it goes wrong and the ball drifts out for a goal-kick to the visitors.

Malaga can't clear convincingly and Porto win a dangerous free-kick. Moutinho can cross this one in...

Total football, Porto style: central defender Otamendi comes forward and turns up in a right wing position. His enterprise is rewarded with a corner.

Malaga then give the ball away and Moutinho, outside the area, tries a first-time shot from distance. It's no problem for Caballero, and he holds on comfortably.

It's played forward to Santa Cruz, but he can't bring that one under control and here come Porto.

Wayward, for once, from Porto as they lose the ball in midfield.

Fernando plays the ball back to his 'keeper, under very little pressure, as the half-hour mark creeps closer.

And their fans know that as well - a sea of raised scarves in the away end, and a lot of decibels.

And Malaga, of course, will be quite happy with that. A draw at Porto in the first leg would be a great result for them.

Sanchez makes an unnecessary and clumsy challenge in midfield. Free-kick to Porto now. This is all becoming a little bitty and scrappy.

Toulalan is adjudged to have been fouled in a jump for the ball on the touchline around the halfway line. Free-kick Malaga.

Although it comes to nothing, Porto - once more - retain the possession.

Fernando comes forward from the back and keeps going all the way into midfield, where he wins his side a free-kick after being clumsily challenged.

Malaga lose possession in midfield. They won't be too bothered about their failure to get much-vaunted players such as Isco into the game so far - they are doing exactly the kind of defensive job their manager would have wanted.

Hang on a moment, though: Joaquin and Santa Cruz combine well, before the latter is unable to control a slightly wayward return pass just outside the area.

But they are thwarted again by Caballero, who is smartly off his line to collect another cross.

There's no question that Porto are stepping up the pace now. This game has become largely about them in an attacking sense.

Porto will feel that they are inching closer to a breakthrough. Varela races onto a slide-rule pass into the area and then loses his footing: another moment of threat.

The delivery - again - is excellent. All sorts of danger at the near post, but the flick-on just eludes Porto's lurking attackers.

Good football by the home side again sets Danilo free down the right, and his attempted ball in deflects away for a corner.

The corner is played in with pace, and Fernando gets a touch but can only guide it the wrong side of the near post.

Martinez almost gets onto the end of a fine ball into the area - Demichelis gets a small but vital touch to the pass to make sure that he doesn't.

The visitors will be happy enough with this opening spell. They haven't created too much of a threat, but they haven't looked uncomfortable either.

Porto come forward with some smart movement through midfield - but Malaga, and this is a Pellegrini signature, are very well organised and tough to get through.

There are plenty of empty seats around the Estadio Do Dragao - stark evidence, perhaps, of the tough economic times in Portugal.

Porto 'keeper Helton takes a wander out of his area to join in the passing of the ball around the back. The home side are happy to play it patient.

Misplaced in midfield by Malaga, and slowly but surely Porto are beginning to enjoy more time in possession. They are having the best of the ball as we hit the ten-minute mark.

...and goalkeeper Caballero claims that one confidently.

Mark Clattenburg gives a free-kick to Porto as Moutinho is sent flying...

An offside flag goes up as Porto try to resume the attack: Malaga are back on the ball, and their travelling fans are enjoying themselves. Songs aplenty from the visitors' section.

Toulalaon gives away a free-kick, and forward come Porto. In comes the cross, and out it goes thanks to some disciplined defending.

Iturra is penalised for a handball in the Porto half, but the home side are wasteful with that one and gift possession back to their visitors.

To the other end - this is an open start - and Roque Santa Cruz can't quite get on the end of a ball towards the Porto area.

Izmailov embarks on a mazy little run on the edge of the Malaga penalty area an makes room for a low shot which is well held by goalkeeper Wilfredo Caballero.

After one or two uncertainties inside the Porto area, it's back with the 'keeper.

Now Malaga come forward themselves - a good ball down the right finds Baptista, and he wins a corner.

Porto are showing the kind of confidence you'd expect from a team with their record this season - Jackson Martinez tries a shot from the edge of the box, but it's blocked.

And we're under way - Malaga get things under way, but Porto soon pick up possession.

And here they come - kick-off a matter of minutes away now.

The players are in the tunnel, with the officials getting ready to lead them out into the arena.

Kick-off tonight is some 15 minutes away. Good though Malaga can be, Porto fans must, surely, be hyper-confident: 15 wins and four draws from their 19 domestic league games this season.

The much sought-after Isco has been superb this season and will be Malaga's man to watch. And up front, they have Roque Santa Cruz - remember him, Blackburn fans?

Malaga, making their debut in the Champions League, finished four points clear of second-placed AC Milan in Group C and have played some fearless football. What can they produce against domestically unbeaten Porto?

And this is how Malaga look: Caballero, Sergio Sanchez, Demichelis, Weligton, Antunes, Toulalan, Iturra, Joaquin, Isco, Julio Baptista, Santa Cruz. Subs: Kameni, Lugano, Camacho, Saviola, Piazon, Duda, Francisco Portillo.

Tonight, their line-up is like this: Helton, Danilo, Otamendi, Mangala, Alex Sandro, Gonzalez, Fernando, Joao Moutinho, Izmailov, Martinez, Varela. Subs: Fabiano, Maicon, Andre Castro, Rodriguez, Liedson, Atsu, Seba.

Porto are having a storming season, top of their domestic league and boasting a tremendous home record. But Malaga, for all the financial uncertainties surrounding them, are playing fine football as well - this could be an intriguing one.

Pellegrini is banging the drum, and people are starting to listen, <a href="http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/3562?cc=5739" target="_blank">writes David Cartlidge</a>.

Porto's Pereira is a man on mission and continues to prove doubters wrong, <a href="http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/3573?cc=5739" target="_blank">writes Tom Kundert</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0115/manuelpellegriniucl20121121_275x155.jpg"><br>Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini has a tough job on his hands

Malaga and Porto meet in the Champions League tonight, and you can follow the action live here.

His clearance results in another Porto corner as we enter the last quarter of an hour.

Substitute Atsu made the run to draw the foul, and Moutinho's free-kick is met well by Toulalan.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> And he is given a yellow card for his pains. Dangerous free-kick, this, as well.

Free-kick for Malaga, which Isco floats in dangerously. Santa Cruz can't get there, and Porto come forward. Iturra stops them, clumsily.

Lovely play by Lucho Gonzalez gives him a crossing chance on the left for Porto. It's a low cut-back, and it's scrambled away.

Danilo can cross from the right - not for the first time, he gets it wrong and a low ball skids straight through to Caballero in the visitors' goal.

Toulalon has been good for Malaga this evening, and makes a neat and tidy escape out of defence despite Porto pressure.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> A second Porto change, with Izmailov making way for Atsu.

A good break down the left for Porto gives substitute Rodriguez a chance to cross. It's a poor one, though, and to nobody in particular.

And they won't do here - another foul in midfield, another free-kick to Porto.

Throw to Malaga around the halfway line. They still haven't mustered a real threat to the home goal.

Isco has the ball now - not for long, as his touch, usually so reliable, lets him down and it runs away from him.

Santa Cruz is adjudged to have fouled Fernando in a tussle outside the area. Free-kick to Porto, and possibly a sign of frustration from the striker, who has had very little to work with tonight.

Another ball forward looks for the same player, running towards the area, but it's cut out.

Toulalaon wins the ball and looks to set the visitors away down their right. He's hoping to find Portillo, but the home defenders see that one safely away.

Again Porto come forward from their own half, but Malaga just hammer that one away.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Portillo is on and Joaquin off as Pellegrini makes his first change of the night for Malaga.

Another corner for Porto. It's an outswinger, but there's a foul and Malaga have the free-kick.

And as if to illustrate that, they win another corner. It's from the left, but it's much too easy for the goalkeeper.

Bright play by the Porto substitute: there's a spring in their collective step at the moment following that breakthrough goal.

A good run by Rodriguez takes him to the edge of the area. He can shoot from here, and does, but shoots wide.

It looks as though a Malaga change could be in the offing as well, but that's on hold for now as they play the ball long. And in vain.

Gonzalez spreads the play to the right for Porto - good defending from Malaga thwarts Danilo as he tries to cross, though.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Varela is off and Rodriguez enters the fray.

So Porto's patience has been rewarded. They are about to make a change here.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL: And Fernando makes hay, putting in a great cross from the left. Moutinho sweeps home despite offside appeals from Malaga, and Porto have their breakthrough.</b>

Again, Malaga give possession away when they get it - this time Santa Cruz gets a lay-off wrong. And here come Porto...

Danilo comes forward and finds himself in another shooting position. But, and this is in keeping with what we've seen so far, he lashes that one wide.

Sandro does well to win the ball back for the home side - cue cheers from the stands.

But then a good cross comes in from the left towards Izmailov, who gets a foot to the ball but is unable to steer it on target.

Santa Cruz is harried out of possession on half-way, and again Porto will come forward. This, so far, is pretty much like an action replay of the first half.

Joaquin takes the flag-kick, and goalkeeper Helton claims well.

The ball falls to Isco, and then Sanchez flicks in a cross. Porto have to concede a corner.

This one will be swung into the area. Can they capitalise?

Santa Cruz does well on the right and gets the ball to Joaquin. He's sent crashing to the ground and Malaga have a rare attacking free-kick.

Baptista gets there with a fine header to clear his lines.

But forward they come again, and a Toulalon block means they have a corner...

Jackson Martinez makes his first run of the second half for Porto. Like so many of the runs he made in the first, it's in vain as the Malaga defenders stand firm again.

A low cross comes in from the right, and it's straight into the arms of waiting Malaga goalkeeper Caballero.

The home side are on the ball - they play it forward, but this one is wasteful.

No changes for either side as Porto get us under way.

Kick-off in the second half is just around the corner. The teams are out. Can Porto find a way through?

<b>And that's the half-time whistle: not many chances to speak of, but a very good evening for Malaga as it stands.</b>

Seconds left until the break now. Will the second half bring a breakthrough?

Then, as he did earlier, Izmailov goes on a skilful run just outside the area. His shot is miles wide in the end, though.

Jackson Martinez shows some frustration with a lunging challenge. Free-kick Malaga.

Two minutes left until the break - and there's some thinking for Porto to do if they are to crack the Malaga defence.

A long ball forward from Porto is far too long, and there are one or two grumbles from the stands at that one.

A foray forward for Malaga earns them a throw level with the edge of the Porto area. Could they snatch an unexpected goal here?

No, in a word. Malaga seem to have defenders in all the right places, all the time. This is a textbook defensive away performance... so far.

Five minutes or so until the break as Baptista gives another free-kick away. Porto are halfway inside the visitors' half - can they make anything of this one?

Danilo tries to take the initiative by attempting a curler from outside the area. It's well hit, but not all that close.

The visitors can hardly keep the ball when they do get it. Another loss of possession gives Jackson Martinez a chance to make something happen, but he gets his attempted cross all wrong.

Throw-in to Porto. They have had so much of the ball, but their frustrations so far are summed up when they quickly get themselves into an offside position.

Demichelis demonstrates his team's sheer determination, getting a toe on a dangerous ball forward to put it out of play with Porto threatening.

Again, Malaga do well and Isco brings it away. We've seen very little of the gifted playmaker so far. This isn't really his kind of evening.

It's almost hard to keep count of the number of Porto corners there have been in this first half. They have yet another, with ten minutes remaining until the interval.

It's another Porto corner, which is met by another demonstration of Malaga's defensive discipline.

A good ball forward to Martinez gives him a chance inside the area - but Sanchez makes a fine block inside the area.

Well, he could have done. In the end, it goes wrong and the ball drifts out for a goal-kick to the visitors.

Malaga can't clear convincingly and Porto win a dangerous free-kick. Moutinho can cross this one in...

Total football, Porto style: central defender Otamendi comes forward and turns up in a right wing position. His enterprise is rewarded with a corner.

Malaga then give the ball away and Moutinho, outside the area, tries a first-time shot from distance. It's no problem for Caballero, and he holds on comfortably.

It's played forward to Santa Cruz, but he can't bring that one under control and here come Porto.

Wayward, for once, from Porto as they lose the ball in midfield.

Fernando plays the ball back to his 'keeper, under very little pressure, as the half-hour mark creeps closer.

And their fans know that as well - a sea of raised scarves in the away end, and a lot of decibels.

And Malaga, of course, will be quite happy with that. A draw at Porto in the first leg would be a great result for them.

Sanchez makes an unnecessary and clumsy challenge in midfield. Free-kick to Porto now. This is all becoming a little bitty and scrappy.

Toulalan is adjudged to have been fouled in a jump for the ball on the touchline around the halfway line. Free-kick Malaga.

Although it comes to nothing, Porto - once more - retain the possession.

Fernando comes forward from the back and keeps going all the way into midfield, where he wins his side a free-kick after being clumsily challenged.

Malaga lose possession in midfield. They won't be too bothered about their failure to get much-vaunted players such as Isco into the game so far - they are doing exactly the kind of defensive job their manager would have wanted.

Hang on a moment, though: Joaquin and Santa Cruz combine well, before the latter is unable to control a slightly wayward return pass just outside the area.

But they are thwarted again by Caballero, who is smartly off his line to collect another cross.

There's no question that Porto are stepping up the pace now. This game has become largely about them in an attacking sense.

Porto will feel that they are inching closer to a breakthrough. Varela races onto a slide-rule pass into the area and then loses his footing: another moment of threat.

The delivery - again - is excellent. All sorts of danger at the near post, but the flick-on just eludes Porto's lurking attackers.

Good football by the home side again sets Danilo free down the right, and his attempted ball in deflects away for a corner.

The corner is played in with pace, and Fernando gets a touch but can only guide it the wrong side of the near post.

Martinez almost gets onto the end of a fine ball into the area - Demichelis gets a small but vital touch to the pass to make sure that he doesn't.

The visitors will be happy enough with this opening spell. They haven't created too much of a threat, but they haven't looked uncomfortable either.

Porto come forward with some smart movement through midfield - but Malaga, and this is a Pellegrini signature, are very well organised and tough to get through.

There are plenty of empty seats around the Estadio Do Dragao - stark evidence, perhaps, of the tough economic times in Portugal.

Porto 'keeper Helton takes a wander out of his area to join in the passing of the ball around the back. The home side are happy to play it patient.

Misplaced in midfield by Malaga, and slowly but surely Porto are beginning to enjoy more time in possession. They are having the best of the ball as we hit the ten-minute mark.

...and goalkeeper Caballero claims that one confidently.

Mark Clattenburg gives a free-kick to Porto as Moutinho is sent flying...

An offside flag goes up as Porto try to resume the attack: Malaga are back on the ball, and their travelling fans are enjoying themselves. Songs aplenty from the visitors' section.

Toulalaon gives away a free-kick, and forward come Porto. In comes the cross, and out it goes thanks to some disciplined defending.

Iturra is penalised for a handball in the Porto half, but the home side are wasteful with that one and gift possession back to their visitors.

To the other end - this is an open start - and Roque Santa Cruz can't quite get on the end of a ball towards the Porto area.

Izmailov embarks on a mazy little run on the edge of the Malaga penalty area an makes room for a low shot which is well held by goalkeeper Wilfredo Caballero.

After one or two uncertainties inside the Porto area, it's back with the 'keeper.

Now Malaga come forward themselves - a good ball down the right finds Baptista, and he wins a corner.

Porto are showing the kind of confidence you'd expect from a team with their record this season - Jackson Martinez tries a shot from the edge of the box, but it's blocked.

And we're under way - Malaga get things under way, but Porto soon pick up possession.

And here they come - kick-off a matter of minutes away now.

The players are in the tunnel, with the officials getting ready to lead them out into the arena.

Kick-off tonight is some 15 minutes away. Good though Malaga can be, Porto fans must, surely, be hyper-confident: 15 wins and four draws from their 19 domestic league games this season.

The much sought-after Isco has been superb this season and will be Malaga's man to watch. And up front, they have Roque Santa Cruz - remember him, Blackburn fans?

Malaga, making their debut in the Champions League, finished four points clear of second-placed AC Milan in Group C and have played some fearless football. What can they produce against domestically unbeaten Porto?

And this is how Malaga look: Caballero, Sergio Sanchez, Demichelis, Weligton, Antunes, Toulalan, Iturra, Joaquin, Isco, Julio Baptista, Santa Cruz. Subs: Kameni, Lugano, Camacho, Saviola, Piazon, Duda, Francisco Portillo.

Tonight, their line-up is like this: Helton, Danilo, Otamendi, Mangala, Alex Sandro, Gonzalez, Fernando, Joao Moutinho, Izmailov, Martinez, Varela. Subs: Fabiano, Maicon, Andre Castro, Rodriguez, Liedson, Atsu, Seba.

Porto are having a storming season, top of their domestic league and boasting a tremendous home record. But Malaga, for all the financial uncertainties surrounding them, are playing fine football as well - this could be an intriguing one.

Pellegrini is banging the drum, and people are starting to listen, <a href="http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/3562?cc=5739" target="_blank">writes David Cartlidge</a>.

Porto's Pereira is a man on mission and continues to prove doubters wrong, <a href="http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/3573?cc=5739" target="_blank">writes Tom Kundert</a>

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0115/manuelpellegriniucl20121121_275x155.jpg"><br>Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini has a tough job on his hands

Malaga and Porto meet in the Champions League tonight, and you can follow the action live here.