UEFA Champions League Preview: AC Milan – Real Madrid (Part 2)
Team News:
Real Madrid
Real Madrid will be without the services of former Rossoneri playmaker Kaka for this match. The Brazilian has been suffering with a troublesome knee for the last two seasons. Ezequiel Marcelo Garay, Sergio Canales and Fernando Gago have not been named in
the squad either.
Expected Formation
Real Madrid took to the pitch against Malaga in a 4-3-3 formation. With Rossoneri frailties at the back well documented, Mourinho will certainly use the same tactics against Milan. Gonzalo Higuain will play upfront while Cristiano Ronaldo and Di Maria will
flank the Argentine. Mesut Ozil, Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira will form very creative yet a balanced midfield trio. Full backs Alvaro Arbeloa and Marcelo will look to stretch the Milan midfield with their darting runs forward while Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho
will form a strong centre back pairing. With Casillas in goal, Real will be confident they won’t be conceding many against Milan
Probable Line up
Iker Casillas, Marcelo, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho, Alvaro Arbeloa, Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Angel Di Maria, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain
AC Milan
Rossoneri will make the trip to Madrid without the services of their skipper Massimo Ambrosini. The midfield destroyer is likely to sit out for another two weeks. Thiago Silva has made the trip to Bernabeau but his inclusion is in doubts following the knock
he received on the weekend against Chievo. Allegri has revealed that the Brazilian will take a late fitness test before anything is decided for certain. Mathieu Flamini has finally returned from his length injury and is likely to feature from the off.
Expected Formation
Massimiliano Allegri has taken a deep liking to the 4-3-3 formation that Leonardo used to brilliant effect last year. Zlatan Ibrahimovic will play as the lone striker upfront. The talented Swede will be flanked by the prodigious Brazilian duo of Pato and
Ronaldinho. Allegri is likely to play Gattuso and Kevin-Prince Boateng in the midfield to ease pressure on a weak Milan backline. Andrea Pirlo will look to dictate tempo from his deep playmaking position. Nesta and Thiago Silva will form a centre back pairing
at the heart of the defence in front of Christian Abbiati. The fullback positions are Milan’s Achilles heel and Gianluca Zambrotta and Luca Antonini will be severely tested.
Probable Line up
Christian Abbiati, Zambrotta, Alessandro Nesta, Thiago Silva, Luca Antonini, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Alexandre Pato, Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Key Players
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Ibra has found a new home at Milan and the talented Swede is scoring goals while also directly assisting in many. Contrary to common belief, the Rossoneri number 11 is a big match player. Ibrahimovic’s form on the day is likely to affect Pato’s impact as
the two are becoming increasingly interdependent of late.
Mesut Ozil
Cristiano Ronaldo might be stealing all the lime light with his goal scoring exploits but it is in fact Ozil that keeps the midfield running. The former Bremen prodigy links the midfield to attack in superb fashion. Even Allegri has realised the threat Ozil
posses with his sublime skill. “The players of both Milan and Real Madrid are exceptional athletes. In my opinion, Mourinho’s most important player is Ozil”
Prediction
The match is set to be an enthralling affair. The two sides have a wealth of world class talent at their disposals, especially in the attack. Thus, goals will come aplenty. AC Milan’s slow and weak defence line might turn out to be their downfall as Los
Galacticos have some of the fastest and trickiest players in the world lining up in their attack. The match will end with a score line of 2 – 1 in favour of Real Madrid.
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