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Real Madrid vs. Milan - 'Kings of Europe' ready for battle
Wednesday 21 October 2009
The two biggest and most successful clubs in European history meet at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium tonight in one of the most anticipated games of the season so far. The two heavyweights of European football boast 16 European titles between them and are also the two most successful sides in Champions League history, wining three titles each. Real Madrid - who have not enjoyed European silverware since 2002 - have assembled their strongest challenge yet, breaking transfers records this summer for Kaka (£56m) and Cristiano Ronaldo (£80m), and further spending on Karim Benzema (£32m) and Raul Albiol (fee thought to be £13.5m). However the fact that neither club have been close to wining this trophy in the last two years is a point that both will want to put straight, and winning tonight will be a clear indication of this to their rivals.
Real Madrid - A superb start under new manager Manuel Pellegrini, Madrid have won six out of seven league games and have also won their first two champions League games in Group C. While the main story surrounding this fixture is Kaka’s first match against his old employer, Milan will feel that they know all about his skills and attributes. However, the Rossoneri will not be happy to see that Raul Gonzalez has hit form again finding the net twice against Valladolid at the weekend. Raul is the first player to score 50 champions league goals and he is currently the top Champions League scorer ever - currently averaging more than one in every two games, totalling a massive 68 in 124 games. The good news for Milan fans is that the worlds most expensive signing Ronaldo - currently this year's top Champions League scorer with four in two matches - is sidelined with an ankle injury. Ruud van Nistlerooy (thigh strain) and midfield general Guti (ankle) also miss out.
1 Casillas
4 Rasmos - 3 Pepe - 18 Albiol - 12 Marcelo
24 Granero - 22 Alonso - 5 Gago - 8 Kaka
7 Raul - 11 Benzema
Milan - The Rossoneri's current side - viewed by many as ‘past their best’ - still have quality throughout the side and as a side story to Kaka switching to Madrid from Milan this summer, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar also has a point to prove after finding himself out of favour at Madrid and moving the other way. Clarence Seedorf (also an ex-Galactico) has won European titles with both clubs and is the only player to win the Champions League with three different clubs - Ajax being the third. Il Diavolo have had a poor start to Serie A this year - only taking twelve points from a possible 24 and this spell was compounded by an embarrassing defeat to Zurich in the Champions League. Milan’s poor form has not created much confidence going into this week but a vital win against Roma at the weekend has surely helped matters. Under-fire Coach, Leonardo will have to tend with several players injured for the big match this evening, as Christian Abbiati (knee), Davide Di Gennaro (toe), Marco Borriello (back), Oguchi Onyewu (knee), Marco Storari (thigh), and Gennaro Gattuso (knee) all miss out.
1 Dida
44 Oddo - 13 Nesta - 18 Jankulovski - 15 Zambrotta
80 Ronaldinho - 16 Flamini - 21 Pirlo - 10 Seedorf
7 Pato - 9 Inzaghi
The last match between these two ‘Kings of Europe’ was also at the Bernabeu in 2003, with Madrid romping to a 3-1 win, with a brace from Raul and a third from Guti. The Galactico’s are certainly favourites and will be expected to dominate from the kick-off. However, this said, echoing Seedorf’s comments yesterday all of the pressure is on Madrid to win tonight. Milan, for a change, are underdogs and could be a surprise package. This said, the home team has won nine out of the last 11 fixtures between the two sides, so the smart money is on Madrid tonight.
See the full list of OLBG's free Football Tips here.
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