Dortmund looking for a 2nd win in Spain at Malaga

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Borussia Dortmund's only win in Spain came in the same season that it won the Champions League, a relatively meaningless sidenote that could spur the German champions on against Malaga on Wednesday in the first leg of the quarterfinals.

Dortmund won the European Cup in 1997, beating Atletico Madrid along the way.

This time, Dortmund will be up against a Champions League newcomer in Malaga — a team out to prove it belongs in a competition alongside Europe's top clubs.

"We're going to come out and impose our style on them from the very first minute," Malaga midfielder Manuel Iturra said.

On Saturday, Dortmund beat Stuttgart 2-1, but left back Marcel Schmelzer was kicked in the face during the match and is questionable for Wednesday's game.

"I'm doing pretty well so far," Schmelzer said. "The nose was stitched and set so we don't lose any time."

Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp said the match against Stuttgart was too rough, but good preparation for Malaga.

"We got manhandled, at times I was worried about the health of my players," Klopp said. "It was a good preparation for the Champions League game in Malaga, because they fly into challenges with just as much intensity."