History beckons Iberian rivals

By Patrick Hart

Boavista FC go into Thursday's UEFA Cup quarter-final against Málaga CF wanting to beat the Spanish side at their own game.

Record books
Málaga might have made history by reaching the last eight on their debut season in European competition. But their Portuguese visitors also have one eye on the record books ahead of this first-leg tie at La Rosaleda.

Twelve-year itch
No Super Liga team has made the semi-finals since Sporting Clube de Portugal in 1991, and Boavista want it to be them and not city rivals Porto FC - who face Panathinaikos FC - that end that sequence. If both progress, Portugal will have two representatives in European semi-finals for only the second time. Porto and SL Benfica achieved that distinction in 1994.

Spanish scalp
Not surprisingly, Boavista have the weight of history on their side. They have twice participated in the UEFA Champions League, and were UEFA Cup quarter-finalists nine years ago. In the latter tournament's 1981/82 edition, meanwhile, they beat Club Atlético de Madrid in the first round before losing against Valencia CF in what was their last Spanish encounter.

Intertoto success
At the time, Málaga coach Joaquín Peiró was in charge of an Atlético junior side. Since then, he has established himself as the guiding light of a Málaga team who have consolidated their place in the Primera División this term after breaking into Europe via the UEFA Intertoto Cup.

'Málaga are favourites'
"Málaga are the favourites," Boavista midfield player Luís Miguel Pedrosa said. "We know they are a good side. They play in a very tough league and it will be important for us to get a result to give ourselves a chance in the second leg. We certainly don't expect any favours from them."

Slow starters
Boavista, who have accounted for Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Anorthosis Famagusta FC, Paris Saint-Germain FC and Hertha BSC Berlin, have risen to ninth place in the Super Liga after a slow start to the domestic campaign.

Injured list
Long-term injuries to Jorge Silva, Nuno Frechaut, Erwin Sanchez, Laurentino and Nuno Gomes have not helped the cause. Against Málaga, meanwhile, coach Jaime Pacheco will be without the suspended Filipe Anunciação and Elpídeo Silva, plus defender Pedro Santos and goalkeeper William Andem who are injured.

Litos reunion
Facing the Axadrezados - as Boavista are known for their black-and-white checked shirts - will be a player they know only too well. Centre-back Litos is not just a product of the Porto club's youth system; he also captained them to their solitary league title in 2001. The 28-year-old will take his place in a lineup spearheaded by attackers Julio Dely Valdes, Dário Silva and Kizito Musampa, but missing midfielders Gerardo García and Miguel Ángel through injury and suspension.

'Historic moment'
Despite his absence with an ankle problem, Gerardo told uefa.com he "couldn't wait" for the all-Iberian showdown. If Málaga are to add Boavista to a list of scalps that includes NK Zeljeznicar, KS Amica Wronki, Leeds United AFC and AEK Athens FC, they must "try to get a couple of goals ahead, although Boavista are a good team and difficult to beat". "We are really excited and will try to make history for the club," he said. "This is a historic moment for the club and for the city."