Malaga vs Borussia Dortmund is perhaps the most intriguing of the quarterfinals ties in this season's Champions League.
One team, which have never won a major trophy, punching well above their weight, while the other filled with exciting young talent looking to go all the way and emulate the class of 1997.
When Roque Santa Cruz scored the goal to send Malaga past FC Porto in the last-16 tie, they were in dreamland. The team, banned from European competition for next season, was in the quarterfinals in their first ever appearance.
Malaga, coached by the excellent Manuel Pellegrino, who took Villarreal to the semi-finals of the competition in 2006 before narrowly losing to Arsenal, have overcome chaos and financial turmoil in spades this season.
In Isco, they have one of the best young players in Europe, while the experience of the likes Jeremy Toulalan, Joaquin and Martin Demichelis has been vital in the run to the last-eight.
"These are the matches we like to play as players," Spanish international Joaquin told reporters. "We are pleased to be able to enjoy this atmosphere with the fans.
"The Malaga fans will be plentiful all around the stadium. These are games where the big teams show their mettle. At home we have not yet said the last word."
Home advantage will be vital, but so will Malaga's defense, which to their credit has been extremely solid.
However, the defense will be put to the ultimate test by Dortmund's brilliantly talented attackers.
Mario Gotze and Marco Reus, in particular, have been in staggering form this season, creating an understanding which has been the bane of most defences that have come up against the duo.
"I don't have to say much about Mario," Reus told UEFA's official website. "He is still a young player but he is so strong already. He is a very intelligent player and he seems to know where I will run in many situations.
"It's important to have somebody on the pitch who has the same ideas as you. And Mario has that. It's great fun to play alongside him."
Up front there is Robert Lewandowski, one of the most lethal strikers in Europe currently. The Polish international is wanted by the likes of Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Arsenal, but on Wednesday his sole focus will be to find the back of the Malaga net.
Dortmund do have a few injury concerns though, with defender Marcel Schmelzer breaking his nose in the weekend win over Stuttgart. The fullback, however, is determined to take the field after being fitted with a face mask.
Midfielders Sven Bender and Kevin Grosskreutz are doubts with ankle problems, while Reus and Felipe Santana are also carrying small knocks, although that is not expected to stop them from being included in XI. Inspirational defender Mats Hummels, however, remains sidelined through an ankle injury.
Dortmund are heavy favorites, but how they match up to Malaga's determination and defensive excellence in the first leg will have a big say in how the tie pans out.
Expected lineups: Malaga: Willy; Gamez, Weligton, Demichelis, Antunes; Toulalan, Iturra; Joaquin, Baptista, Isco; Santa Cruz.
Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Piszczek; Subotic, Santana, Schmelzer; Bender, Gundogan; Blaszczykowski, Gotze, Reus; Lewandowski.
Prediction: 2-1 to Dortmund
