UEFA Champions League Preview: AC Milan – Real Madrid (Part 1)
Clash of the Titans
Real Madrid and AC Milan are the two most decorated sides in the Champions League history. Real Madrid are nine time European Champions while AC Milan have seven trophies to their name. No side even comes close to the success the two have achieved over the
decades of European history.
Calling the tie between these two sides ‘The derby of Europe’ would be a justified title. The two sides meet today at Santiago Bernabeau for the third match of Group G while the return leg will be on match day 4. The outcomes of these two matches will go
a long way in determining which team tops the group.
The two sides also met last year in the group stages of the Champions League. AC Milan came out undefeated following a victory at Bernabeau and a draw at San Siro. However, the sides have strengthened considerably. Real Madrid in particular has the best
tactician in the world, Jose Mourinho, leading the troops.
Rossoneri hoping for history to repeat itself
AC Milan currently stands second in the group following two rounds of Champions League action. Their opening day home victory against Auxerre was followed by a stalemate in Amsterdam. A Luis Suarez inspired Ajax held Milan to a 1 – 1 draw.
The tie will effectively be the acid test of Milan’s Champions League credentials. Rossoneri are unlikely to face a more talented squad at any stage of the competition.
After a slow start to the season, Rossoneri are slowly gathering pace. The Davioli are undefeated since their shock defeat at the hands of Cesena on 11th September. Massimiliano Allegri will have a strong squad at his disposal and the return of
Pato will be a huge relief. Pato scored a brace at the Bernabeau last season and Rossoneri will be expecting more of the same from their mercurial forward
Real Looking to Mourinho for magic
The current group toppers are perennial Champions League contenders. Los Galacticos have failed to go past the first knockout stage for six seasons in a row. The club is arguably going through its worst patch in its glamorous European history.
Jose Mourinho is wildly regarded as the best tactician in the world. The Portuguese comes with winning DNA and President Florentino Perez paid Inter Milan a handsome amount just to get Jose in charge of his troops.
Mourinho made an instant impact at the club. Following a somewhat modest start to their season, Los Galacticos are looking increasingly threatening. Los Merengues
are the current league leaders and have maximum points from their opening Champions League matches. The likes of Mesut Ozil, Semi Khedira and Angel Di Maria are already settled down and firing on all cylinders. Everything looks to be in sync with Mourinho’s
wishes.
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