Champions League Special: Real Madrid vs. AC Milan – Key Player Battles
With the wealth of talent these two teams have at their disposal, the match will be a mouth watering contest. There will be plenty of duels across the pitch. The outcomes of these battles will go a long way in determining the winner of this glamorous match.
Key Battles
Alessandro Nesta vs. Gonzalo Higuain
Nesta is undoubtedly one of the best central defenders to have ever played. The former SS Lazio skipper is at the end of a truly illustrious career. Following a terrible injury that ruled him out for the entire 2008/09 season, Nesta roared back to form with
a stunning campaign last season. Worryingly for Milan, the legend has looked off his cultured best so far this season.
Higuain on the other hand is relishing his partnership with Ronaldo. The two combine quite often to devastating effect. Higuain will be responsible for leading the line against Milan and Nesta will be the man appointed to mark him. The duel will be an intriguing
affair and the winner of the battle will most likely win the three points for his respective side.
Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Luca Antonini/Gianluca Zambrotta
Following a dry spell at the start of the season, Ronaldo was back to his brilliant best against Malaga. The mercurial forward scored a deadly brace while creating numerous opportunities for his team mates. CR7 will play on the flanks and his omnidextrous
(two footed) nature means the winger will be switching flanks more often than not. Ronaldo will come up against both the Rossoneri fullbacks throughout the match.
No doubt Zambrotta had a world class career but the former Juventus man is in the twilight of his career and has lost much of his pace. Antonini’s defensive woes are no secret and his attacking nature means the player will be leaving plenty of space for
the opposition to drop into. Should Ronaldo be left one-on-one against any of the fullbacks, Ronaldo is more than likely to make Milan pay.
Pepe vs. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibrahimovic has been roasted by the press for his lack of goals at Barcelona, in particular, his failure to score in the continental competition. However, Ibra was far from a flop at Camp Nou. 22 goals and 10 assists in just 42 appearances isn’t a flop by
any stretch of imagination.
Ibra has been something close to his best at San Siro and has already scored 3 goals in his first two champions League appearances. Ibra’s link up play and ball holding skills are second to none. Pepe will be asked to man mark the lanky Swede. The Portuguese
centre back is a pillar of strength and his physical play will come handy lining up against the Milan forward. If Mourinho manages to shackle Ibrahimovic in this match, he is more than likely to win the tie.
Ronaldinho vs. Ramos
The Ronaldinho-Ramos duel was one for the purists to watch when Ronaldinho was playing his trade for Barcelona. Ronnie would terrorise the Madrid defence and Ramos wasn’t spared the blushes. However, it is a completely different story now.
Ronaldinho has lost much of his pace while Ramos is one the best right backs in the world. However, the Brazilian legend still has the brain of a genius while his technique means the player can find a target with his inch perfect through balls and juicy
crosses.
Should Ramos manage to subdue an ageing Ronnie, the supply to Ibrahimovic will be severely cut short.
Mesut Ozil vs. Kevin-Prince Boateng
Ozil will be playing on the left of Madrid midfield thus making Boateng his direct opposition. Boateng will have to on the top of his game to stop the ‘perfect kaka replacement’. Ozil made a tremendous impact at this new club and the Kaka’s injury is already
forgotten.
The Player supplies the likes of Ronaldo and Higuain with plenty of ammunition and Milan must keep the German playmaker in check at all times.
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