On Wednesday night two of the world’s biggest clubs meet in the Champions League. La Liga giants Real Madrid take on Serie A outfit AC Milan in a game that should really whet the footballing appetite.
The two sides have had contrasting fortunes in both league and cup this season. While Real Madrid, fresh from their massive summer spending, sit second in La Liga and have won their opening two Champions League games AC Milan have endured a difficult start. The San Siro side were beaten by Swiss minnows FC Zurich in their last European tie and are way off the pace in the Serie A title race, indeed their title challenge may already be over.
Milan boss Leonardo is under serious pressure despite the board voicing their support for him. A game against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu is perhaps not what he needs right now, but then again if they can rock the boat and get a result it may restore his reputation somewhat.
The Rossonerri have plenty of talent in their ranks despite their lowly league position. Former Real Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar will line up against his former employers and the Dutchman will have a point to prove. He didn’t get much of a chance at Real and was sold after just one season so I’m sure he’ll be eager to show the Spanish giants what they’re missing. Former Barcelona star Ronaldinho is having a tough time at the moment and may not even be involved but if he is expect him to get a frosty reception on his return to Spain.
Real will go into this one heavy favourites and it is little doubt considering the talent they acquired over the summer. It will be the first time Kaka will line up against his old club after his mega-money move in the summer and it will be intriguing to see how he performs against his former employers. Cristiano Ronaldo will play no part after suffering an injury in Real’s last Champions League outing, which will surely come as a bonus to the visiting Italians.
Real will go into this game eager for victory as they chase the Champions League title, a competition they haven’t won since 2002. Midfielder Xabi Alonso confirmed Los Galacticos see this as their priority for the season.
He said: “The Champions League is the primary objective for Real Madrid this season,
“The title will not be easy though as the competition is very open.
“We know the race will be hard because there are many strong clubs from England and Italy.
“But to win the trophy would be spectacular for us.”
The final of this season’s competition will be held at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and Alonso admits it would be a special moment to secure Europe’s top prize on home soil.
He added: “The attraction to play the final at home is enormous but I do not believe it brings greater pressure.
“For clubs like Madrid we are obliged to fight on all fronts each season.”
When clubs like AC Milan and Real Madrid are drawn together in the European fixtures they really are games to tune in to. Sometimes the hype outweighs the occasion but this is still an important fixture for both clubs. AC Milan saw off Roma on Sunday and sometimes that kind of result is what a team in crisis needs to pick themselves up. Make no mistake, Milan are a massive club and their start to the season should be considered abysmal by their high standards. After seeing off Roma they have restored some pride for themselves and their supporters and by denying Real Madrid victory or taking all three points themselves Leonardo and his squad could breath a little easier still. For Real it is a chance to demonstrate their power to the Italian audience and a wider European market. Their league performances may have been impressive so far but when AC Milan and Real Madrid meet the eyes of the footballing world focus on them and it is a great chance for the likes of Kaka and Benzema to showcase their talents.
Written by Gareth Freeman, a sports writer promoting Irish racing betting and Champions League betting for Betfair.
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