Champions League Preview: Milan-Real Madrid
If any match was fitting of the Champions League final itself, this was certainly it.
If any match was fitting of the Champions League final itself, this was certainly it.
The five times winners come up against the record nine times winners in a game that will surely live up to it's very high billing.
The Milan squad will be in a great frame of mind after that morale-boosting win over the old enemy Inter on Saturday. It may have arrived somewhat fortuitously after the Nerazzurri spurned some good chances, but many would argue that it was about time Hector Cuper's men were on the end of a touch of bad luck.
Those critics who suggested that the Rossoneri were in some sort of crisis now have a little egg on their faces. Lets not forget that those Champions League defeats against Lens and Deportivo La Coruna mattered not one jot in the end, while the setbacks in the league came against Chievo and Juventus – two of Serie A's in-form sides.
Now things have done a complete 360, and people are suggesting that Milan can once again sweep everything before them. How fickle football watchers can be.
"It's not easy to make predictions," says Rivaldo who was linked with Real in the summer. "But considering the group, I think we can win everything: Serie A, Champions League and Coppa Italia. Milan have the same attitude the Seleçao showed before lifting the World Cup: grit, determination and a lot of quality."
Worrying for the rest, but the truth is that the litmus test will only arrive in April. Then we will see if Milan are there or there abouts in Serie A, and in the knockout stages of the Champions League. A lot can happen before then – injuries, suspensions, referring blunders, the lot.
Speaking of mistakes from those in the middle, was it really the right decision to take the players off in the Barcelona-Real Madrid match, after Luis Figo had been pelted by objects from the crowd? It made little difference as the Portuguese international continued to bare the brunt of the Catalans' hatred towards him when the players returned.
That controversy aside, Real will have been more than happy with the point. They were outplayed at times by Barca, but that was always likely to be the case. Afterall, the Catalans were on their home turf, and the Merengues were severely handicapped by the injuries to three key men, Fernando Hierro Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo.
It is in these clashes in Europe, that Real Madrid often produce their best football. Who could forget their wins over Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Barcelona in recent campaigns, as well as the 3-0 trouncing of Roma at the Stadio Olimpico this season? Vicente Del Bosque has a team packed with superstars (akin to the Harlem Globetrotters) and such players, the real cream of the crop, produce on the big occasion.
Milan's Last Six Matches: WWLLWW
The defeats arrived at Juventus in the league, then at home against Depor in the Champions League, in a virtually meaningless match. Home league wins against Reggina, Udinese, Parma and Inter have seen the Rossoneri stay in the hunt for the Scudetto.
Real Madrid's Last Six Matches: DWWDDD
Real are having trouble winning games at present, but at least they aren't losing them anymore. The recent draw against Real Sociedad would have been disappointing, but the 0-0 with Barca on Saturday was a point gained.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Milan: Nesta is doubtful, and could be replaced by Costacurta. The other question is whether Carlo Ancelotti will keep the faith with Inzaghi and Serginho, or bring in Shevchenko and Rui Costa. Gattuso is set to feature on the right, meanwhile.
Real Madrid: Del Bosque must decide between McManaman, Celades and Flavio Conceicao to replace the injured Makelele. Flavio is most likely the answer, but the English option can't be excluded. Zidane should return to the line-up after recovering from his back injury, but Ronaldo is still out with a fever. Pavon will continue in place of Hierro.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Rivaldo (Milan): all eyes will be on the Brazilian against his former foe. The playmaker was often the scourge of Real during his time in Spain for Barcelona.
Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid): along with Rivaldo, we perhaps have the two greatest playmakers in the world on show. The Frenchman is born for the big stage, and there are few bigger than the San Siro.