The two most successful clubs in the history of the Champions League meet on Wednesday at Bernabeu. Between them AC Milan and Real Madrid have won 16 European Cups. The Spanish side are the most successful club in the history of the competition with nine victories, compared to Milan’s seven.
Real good start to the season
The two giants have had contrasting starts to their seasons so far. Real Madrid currently sit second in the La Liga table just one point behind European champions Barcelona. They have also started off their European campaign with six points out six.
Milan struggle under Brazilian
AC have struggled this season under new boss Leonardo. They are already seven points behind their rivals and league league leaders Inter in the Serie A table. They also suffered the humiliation of losing 1-0 at home to Swiss side FC Zurich in their last Champions League game. Their coach has came under fire this season for the sides for performances but the rot had long since set in before the Brazilian took charge.
Kaka defects to Real
Brazilian magician Kaka’s move to Real Madrid in the summer caused uproar amongst the Rossoneri fans. They were losing one of the best players in the world. They knew he couldn’t be replaced directly as there are few players in the world who could do the same job as the 27 year-old. It will be a new experience for the Brazilian international facing an old club. He told the media:
“For me it’s the first time in my career that I will play against an ex club. It’s a new thing for me, but I am professional and now I play for Real Madrid and I will give my all.”
No Ronaldo but still favourites
Real will be missing World Player of Year Cristiano Ronaldo. Real boss Manuel Pellegrini will also will without Argentina international midfielder Fernando Gago, Dutch striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Germany defender Christoph Metzelder.
Even without those players the Chilean has a wealth of talent to call upon. He will have former Liverpool full-back Alvaro Arbeloa and former Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra back in his squad after they recovered from injury. However there are still doubts over the fitness of midfielder Guti.
Real will be hot favourites for this fixture due to Milan’s poor form. The Rossoneri will have to be on top form to get anything from this game. They still have the dangerous young Brazilian Alexandre Pato in attack and the mercurial Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf in the middle of the park. However they will have to do without tenacious midfielder Gennaro Gattuso. The 31 year-old has thigh and knee injuries.
A Real mauling
The Milan squad is starting to look its age and against an expensively assembled hungry side they could get a real hammering. I can see Leonardo’s side being outplayed and outfought by the much hungrier and livier Real. I just can’t see how Milan can go to the Bernabeu and come home with anything other than a defeat. Clashes between the two sides in the past would of been harder to call but I’m afraid Milan simply aren’t in the same league as their opponents on Wednesday night.
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