Footballer lovers will be in for a treat tonight as two of Europe’s most successful clubs take to the pitch in a Uefa Champions League Group G fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu. Spanish giants Real Madrid host AC Milan in a repeat of the same fixture which was played last season.
Milan emerged victorious shocking Los Blancos 3-2 on a night that saw spectacular performances from Ronaldinho and Pato. Today’s fixture will be no different as Milan’s Brazilian contingent has yet another star. Robinho who scored his first goal for Milan on Saturday will be sure to get some playing time in the stadium he called home for 3 years.
Madrid will also be keen on ending their European duck this season. The Spanish giants have had a run of bad luck in the competition this past 5 years only managing to progress as far as the quarterfinals.
However, with new coach Jose Mourinho and a host of skillful players to boot, Milan should expect a different Madrid side to the one they played last season.
Mourinho has identified the Champions League as his prime target this season and as we all know, he rarely fails to achieve what he sets out to do. He will however have to deal with Milan’s Brazilian threat as well as in form Swede striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Madrid Captain Iker Casillas has already cautioned his team mates against giving Ronaldinho space to roam about freely.
“[Ronaldinho] is a player who was at his best at Barcelona a few years ago. He was feared by all rivals including myself and it was a delight to watch him,” he explained during a pre-match press conference.
“Now he is not the same player as four years ago, but when he plays Real Madrid he won’t be lacking any motivation.”
“They have bought big stars and have a fairly strong squad. I agree with [coach Jose] Mourinho when he says it’s just another game, but it is still Real Madrid – Milan.”
Between them, Madrid and Milan have an impressive 16 European titles. Today’s match will not only be a battle for Group G supremacy but also for European supremacy. Whoever wins this match will have a better chance of progressing through to the knock out stages.
Photo credit: from Nino H