Champions Cup: AC Milan VS Real Madrid Prediction

Milan was able to come away with the surprising 3-2 upset away at El Bernabeu in their first matchup thanks in part to the inspired play of Brazilian Alexandre Pato, whose brace, which included the winner in the 88th minute, served as the difference in the game.

AC Milan
Milan’s attack is led by the Brazilian duo of Ronaldinho and Pato. Pato has been sensational as of late and put to rest any negativity surrounding his goal scoring capabilities. Meanwhile, Ronaldinho has shown some flashes of his old self but has yet to show his domineering ways that we are all aware he is capable of. If he wants to show he’s still got it, now is the time. As for the defense, Alessandro Nesta and Marco Stolari have been Milan’s saving grace and have held this team together this season through thick and thin. However, since going out with an injury a few weeks back, Brazilian keeper Dida has filled in nicely for Stolari, surprising many doubters. Stolari will miss yet again while Jankulovski and Onyewu will join him on the pine as well as they also recover from injuries.

AC Milan possibility starting line up:
19 players have been called up by Leonardo for tomorrow's match against Real Madrid at San Siro:
Dida, Roma, Kaladze, Nesta, Oddo, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta, Abate, Ambrosini, Flamini, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Borriello, Huntelaar, Inzaghi, Pato, Ronaldinho, Verdi (n.58).
Unavailable players: Storari, Antonini, Jankulovski, Onyewu, Di Gennaro.

Real Madrid
On the plus side for Milan, who currently lie eighth in Serie A, Real will be without world record signing Cristiano Ronaldo, after he aggravated his ankle injury playing for Portugal.
Kaka should be restored to Manuel Pellegrini's starting line-up after Rafael van der Vaart made his first league start of the season in his place at the weekend.
Mahamadou Diarra could also be recalled after Lassana Diarra and Esteban Granero got the nod against Real Valladolid, although Guti (ankle) remains sidelined.

Fernando Gago (thigh), Ruud van Nistelrooy (knee) and Christoph Metzelder (calf) are all ruled out of the game due to injury.
Veteran striker Raul and summer signing Karim Benzema are sure to lead Pellegrini's front line with Ronaldo injured, meaning Gonzalo Higuain will have to settle for a place on the substitutes' bench.

Real madrid Squad List:
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Dudek, Adan.
Defenders: Arbeloa, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Drenthe, Albiol.
Midfielders: Gago, Kaka, Lass, Xabi Alonso, Van der Vaart, Diarra, Granero.
Forwards: Raul, Benzema, Higuain, Van Nistelrooy.


My Prediction Milan 1 - real madrid 0