FOOTBALL NEWS FROM CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Malaga close in on group stage
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Malaga shook off their financial worries to put themselves on the brink of a place in the lucrative Champions League group stage with a 2-0 win at home to Panathinaikos.

Despite losing many of their star names, Malaga scored twice in the first half through Martín Demichelis and Pereira Eliseu to take the upper hand in the tie.

But Pana will not consider themselves out of the running for a place in next Thursday's draw when they meet their Spanish rivals back in the Olympic Stadium in Athens. Pana are looking to return to the Champions League after losing to Odense in the third qualifying round last season while Malaga would make their first appearance.

Udinese are also looking to avoid falling in the qualifiers this season after being beaten by Arsenal 12 months ago. The Italians will fancy their chances of advancing after claiming a 1-1 draw away to Braga. Dusan Basta gave them a first half lead but they were pegged back after the break by an Ismaily Santos goal.

Cypriot side AEL surprised Anderlecht with a 2-1 win in Strovolos, Dossa Junior and Rui Miguel sandwiching a strike from Dieumerci Mbokani for the visitors, who had striker Milan Jovanovic sent off in the 67th minute.

Vitali Rodionov scored twice as Belarusian champions BATE Borisov secured a 2-0 first leg win over Hapoel Kiryat Shmona.

Rodionov put the hosts in front in the 29th minute and added a second 12 minutes from time, shortly after the Israelis had Dusan Matovic sent off for a second bookable offence.

Dinamo Zagreb will take a slender 2-1 lead into their second leg against Maribor in Slovenia next week after Milan Badelj made a dramatic impact by scoring at both ends. Duje Cop put the Croatian side ahead after 10 minutes before an own goal from Badelj levelled the tie just before the break. Badelj went on to atone for his error by striking the winner in the 74th minute.