REAL MADRID host Milan on Tuesday when the clock points 20:45 at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
Real Madrid are coming to this game from the top of La Liga and Jose Mourinho’s boys will be looking to get another impressive victory on Tuesday night.
Most would think AC Milan are the underdogs in this game, but they know very well that they have everything it takes to beat Real Madrid at their home stadium, despite it will be very hard.
Milan target “the new Makelele”
Thiago Silva set to undergo fitness tests
Watch the highlights from the last encounter between the giants.
With a squad full of stars, Real Madrid are set to host the Rossoneri, try to beat Milan and prove they are the most quality team between the two But, they know it’s easier said than done.
Mou’s team is in fine form, as they beat Malaga 1-4 on Saturday. On that day, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil were on fire, as the Portuguese scored twice and provided two assists, while the German was very effective.
Real Madrid have class in every role of the pitch: in goal it’s Iker Casillas, in defense there are Raul Albiol, Ricardo Carvalho, Pepe and Marcelo, in midfield – Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil, while the attack is fantastic with Angel Di Mario, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuaín.
The Blancos are a very strong side in defense, as they conceded only three goals in seven league matches by now, but are also finding the net, as they have 16 goals to their name in La Liga.
The Galacticos are first in the league at the moment (Villarreal have not played yet) and they have not lost even a single official game since the “The Special One” became the man on the lines.
The nine-time Champions League winners believe they can win and they know they must win in order to secure their place in the next stage of the competition.
Real are considered the stronger side in this encounter. The Estadio Bernabeu is expected to be sold out as only few tickets had not been sold by now.
Star Man: CR7 may be criticized for many things, but the way he plays the ball on the pitch is extraordinary. Ronaldo is the key to the entire Real Madrid gameplay, and if Milan succeed to mark him well, it would be just fantastic for them. Ozil and Alonso are very important for Real as well.
Injury List: Ezequiel Garay, Sergio Ramos, Fernando Gagoand Kakà. Sergio Canales was left out.
Squad List: Casillas, Dudek, Adan; Marcelo, Albiol, Arbeloa, Mateos, Pepe, Carvalho; Granero, Lass, Diarra, Xabi Alonso, Di Maria, Ozil, Pedro Leon, Khedira; Higuain, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema.
AC Milan have great memories from the last trip to Madrid, but times have changed and both sides are stronger than last season.
Jose Mourinho’s last home defeat was on February 23, 2002 and while the Rossoneri still remember last year’s embarrassment in the derbies, Max Allegri’s men will seek for revenge.
il Diavolo beat Chievo this weekend 3-1 thanks to goals scored by Alexandre Pato and Robinho. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, despite not scoring, was very good, as he assisted two goals and it seems like Milan have finally found their system – the 4-3-1-2.
This formation made Milan unpredictable, like in the days when Kaka or Rui Costa played behind the two strikers. Ronaldinho can do this exactly and he’s expected to start behind Pato-Ibra also against Madrid.
There are many concerns for Allegri. He will probably not replace his winning midfield (Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf) but there is a risk they won’t be able to keep up with Real’s midfielders, and therefore, Kevin-Prince Boateng might get the nod, leaving Rino or Seedorf on the bench.
The fans never had doubts about the attack of Milan, but what truly worries the Milanistas around the world is whether Thiago Silva will play or not. A decision regarding his situation will be taken tomorrow.
The Rossoneri are inspired to win and despite losing their temporary first place to Lazio last night, they are still above Inter, Juventus, Napoli and Palermo.
Nothing is impossible in football, and Milan will go out on the pitch of the Bernabeu to prove this exactly. There is not huge difference in quality between the sides, but there is no doubt Milan will have hard times.
Star Man: Alexandre Pato bagged a brace on Saturday and has sweet memories from Madrid. He can make the difference for Milan. Alessandro Nesta and Ronaldinho will be crucial as well.
Injury List: Massimo Ambrosini, Marek Jankulovski. Massimo Oddo was left out.
Squad List: Abbiati , Amelia, Roma; Antonini, Bonera, Nesta, Papastathopoulos, Silva, Zambrotta, Yepes; Abate, Boateng, Flamini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Strasser; Ibrahimovic, Inzaghi, Pato, Robinho, Ronaldinho.
By Meytar Zeevi, Rossoneri Blog
Will Gattusso keep up to the speed of RM midfield for 90 minutes is a zillion dollar question ,but most fans who are blinded by the love of Milan will say yes he does, honestly he is to be thought about. Lets keep our reservations after the game!!!!!!!!
Milan should role the dice and play the four attackers. Real will have no answer as it would require their attackers to sit back more. 4-2-3-1 system is perfect for this game.
Agree with Anthony. We have to play 5 players in midfield. If we have too many forwards, Real Madrid WILL punish us with their fast counters. Also, this system would take the load off the DM’s. Instead of only 1, there would be 2.
I can’t wait for this match. There’re more technician in this game such as CR9 Ozil Di Maria R80 Robinho Ibrahimavic. I hope Antonini will exactly gain more experience in Europe game.
This match gonna be tough. Hope all Milan players ready to give some amazing performance in here. Forza Milan!
@george : Technicians such as CR Ozil, which world are you in, CR doesnt have 1% of technic as that of Ronaldinho, It will take 100 yrs for Ozil to get the technic of Pirlo ,Pato for his age is ten times better than Di Maria,There is a tactician in Mourinho and we should worry only about that, Player vs Player on paper Milan win the game hands down. But the tactics of a coach will surprise everybody.Allegri should stand up to Mourinho and play fresh young legs, Mou knows how to cutoff the experienced old legs !!!!!! I am… Read more »
@Ronnie2009
Young legs? What young legs? We don’t have any good young legs that can play this big game. Flamini can still run but he has barely played or played well so it is out of question. Prince can play. Its too early for Strasser who hasn’t gotten any experience. For now, the only thing we can do is insert Prince in the midfield, but other than that, we have to have the same midfield line-up.
we have done it before and we can do it again .lets not have a fearfull approach ,worrying more about what we should avoid doing as well as other precautions ,they are real madrid and we respect that but remember that we are milan .AC MILAN.I can tell you now DINHO WILL SHOW HIS WORTH TODAY.but we have to play hard for 90mins
seedorf will definatly cant handle di maria!! boateng instead of seedorf on right midfeild ! ! keep gattuso for ronaldo!! i wont mind if gattuso presssures cr7!!
@Master : with young legs i mean younger than Gattusso & Seedorf ,Pirlo can play in between prince & flamini, with Mourinho’s tactics you dont need experienced guys he knows how to trap them , only this midfield can keep up the game’s tempo. Our forward line is the safest bet , Dinho behind Ibra & Pato will scare the shit out of Madrid. right now Gattusso is very overwhelmed and over excited , it shouldnt be the case , he can get provoked easily. Allegri shouldnt risk playing him.
I love the way Pirlo has played recently, but I would make the tough decision and put KPB in for Pirlo. I dont think our passing would suffer from this change and we will need Boateng’s strength and bite in this game.
Breakout-game for Prince as a Milan man ???
I think Milan will play 4-3-1-2 formation which can be chnge to 4-3-3 in some condition. I agree with Ronnie2009, about some plyers will provoke gattuso. So I think maybe better if gattuso play at the first half and then replace him with flamini or seedorf. Because we can make cr frustated again if gattuso do his job. And then at the second half I think milan should play more to a long balls. Bcause madrid will frustatd if milan can hold the madrid and they will play more aggresive atacking football, and we have a empty space at our… Read more »
@ Milanista : hope you come back here after you have known the meaning of Young Fresh legs ,the best and the fast won the game… ,@ hope you are worried your english is bad , am happy because i get your point and u are correct . I still say ALLEGRI is a damn IDIOT!!!!! give him 100 more chances he still is the same.