Champions League Preview: AC Milan - Real Madrid

Milan’s unbeaten run now stretches to six games in all competitions after Leonardo guided his team to a 2-0 win against Parma on Saturday evening. With an impressive run of results since beating Roma, has the coach found a formula that proves the Rossoneri can survive without Kaka?

Crucially for the Rossoneri this weekend, they didn’t concede. Moreover, their first clean sheet since their 0-0 draw with Bari on September 27 was achieved without Alessandro Nesta. Nesta has arguably been Milan’s best player this season, and certainly the most consistent. His two late goals saved his side from defeat against Chievo, while he has been a rock at the heart of Milan’s backline. Although they will come up against more potent attacks than Parma, it will be a big morale boost for the Rossoneri.

With Marco Storari injured, there were fears among some Milan fans that Dida would be more of a liability than anything else. His howler against Real Madrid to allow Raul to score did nothing to allay these fears, but since then the Brazilian has been in sensational form as he pulled off countless superb saves against Napoli and Parma.

Marco Borriello’s return to fitness has also been very welcome for Leonardo, and the injury-plagued striker showed what he is capable of against the Gialloblu this weekend. Calm and collected, he slipped the ball between Antonio Mirante’s legs for his first before showing real quality as he volleyed into the corner in injury time. With Pato and Ronaldinho beginning to discover their form again, it is time for Milan’s attack to start firing on all cylinders.

Pellegrini’s Last Chance?

Real Madrid’s record of 23 goals in nine league matches is currently one of the best in Europe, but many of these were achieved with Cristiano Ronaldo in the side. Since Ronaldo’s injury, los Merengues have looked to Kaka to provide the team’s spark in attack. However, the Brazilian has not had the same strike-rate as his Portuguese team-mate in recent seasons and is still settling into los Merengues’ setup.

Ronaldo’s injury has also led to a string of poor results, none more so than the woeful display against Alcorcon in the Copa del Rey. This has led to suggestions that coach Manuel Pellegrini would be fired if he lost to either Getafe or Milan - while the first hurdle has been overcome, the second is much more challenging. The former Villarreal trainer has had to put up with interference from the club directors at Real Madrid - a situation that he is struggling to deal with.

Nonetheless, the Chilean knew what he was getting himself into when he took the job. The majority of his players still trust him - Guti may be the exception that proves the rule - and they rallied to beat Getafe on Saturday. Despite having Raul Albiol sent off before the game was half an hour old, Gonzalo Higuain scored twice in under five minutes to save Pellegrini’s bacon.

Guti was left out of the squad at the weekend, and the temperamental midfielder has also been omitted from the 20-man party that will travel to Milan. Former Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has told Pellegrini that Guti can be a great asset if he is treated right, but it appears that the coach is taking the safe option by selecting the Dutch outcast Rafael van der Vaart instead. If things don’t go according to plan in San Siro, Guti may not be the only person at the club to lose his patience with the pragmatic Chilean.

FORM GUIDE

Milan

October 31 v Parma (H) - WON 2-0 (Serie A)

October 28 v Napoli (A) - DREW 2-2 (Serie A)

October 25 v Chievo Verona (A) - WON 2-1 (Serie A)

October 21 v Milan (H) - WON 3-2 (Champions League)

October 18 v Roma (H) - WON 2-1 (Serie A)

Real Madrid

October 31 v Getafe (H) - WON 2-0 (La Liga)

October 27 v Alcorcon (A) - LOST 4-0 (Copa del Rey)

October 24 v Sporting Gijon (A) - DREW 0-0 (La Liga)

October 21 v Milan (H) - LOST 3-2 (Champions League)

October 17 v Real Valladolid (H) - WON 4-2 (La Liga)

TEAM NEWS

Milan

Nesta should return from injury for the clash, as Leonardo decided not to risk him at the weekend. Gianluca Zambrotta was to be rested at the weekend but made a substitute appearance against Parma when Luca Antonini went down injured, while the likes of Storari, Marek Jankulovski and Oguchi Onyewu are all still out.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-3): Dida; Oddo, Thiago Silva, Nesta, Zambrotta; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Pato, Borriello, Ronaldinho.

Real Madrid

Pellegrini has picked a 20-man squad for the trip, with Guti and Christoph Metzelder left out of the squad after the debacle against Alcorcon. Cristiano Ronaldo and Ezequiel Garay are still out due to injury, but Royston Drenthe returns to the squad after being overlooked against Getafe.

Probable Starting XI (4-2-2-2): Casillas; Ramos, Pepe, Albiol, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Diarra; Kaka, Granero; Higuain, Raul.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alexandre Pato (Milan)

The young Brazilian scored twice against los Blancos in the Bernabeu, and he could barely contain his delight as he netted the winner in the closing stages. ‘The Duck’ also showed his composure as he slotted home the Rossoneri’s second against Napoli, and he will be looking to continue his recent good form against los Blancos’ frail defence.

Kaka (Real Madrid)

The Brazilian is returning to San Siro for the first time since leaving Milan in the summer, and there will be extra pressure on his shoulders. In Ronaldo’s absence, he is expected to create and dictate the play for los Merengues, and the home fans will make it difficult for their former idol after his acrimonious departure.

PREDICTION

While Real Madrid have kept two clean sheets in their last two Primera Division matches, the opposition were far from being top quality. Milan, on the other hand, are in excellent form and, backed by their home fans, will be confident of beating los Merengues for the second time in a fortnight.

Milan 2-1 Real Madrid