AC Milan versus Manchester United: A preview

After two silent months, the world’s greatest club competition is resuming tonight with the knockout stages. Yes, the UEFA Champion’s league is back. And it’s back with a bang. What else can you say when you have two giants facing each other tonight. AC Milan welcome Manchester United to San Siro for the first leg of their mouth watering clash. 2 clubs that have been somewhat weakened by the departures of their main hit men, Kaka for AC Milan and Ronaldo from United. What will be the outcome of this tense clash? Let’s have a look.

History:

United and Milan have clashed 4 times in the Champions League. On all the 4 occasions it has been Milan that has gone through to the next stage. In the recent past, they have met twice. In the 2004/05 quarter-final, Hernan Crespo scored the winning goal both home and away. In the 2006/2007 semi-final, United won the first leg at home. However they were totally outclassed in the return fixture at the San Siro. There’s a pattern here. In almost all 4 of their meetings before, the home side has won in the corresponding fixture with the final result depending upon the margin of victory and the away goals rule.

Form:

Form plays a very big factor in this case. This is simply because, for the last two months both these clubs have only been involved in domestic competitions.

AC Milan

The run in to this game has been patchy for the Rossoneri. In the last four games they have won only once that too a 3-2 win against Udinese in their last match including a loss against rivals Inter.

Manchester United

For the Red Devils this match couldn’t have come at a better time. They are flying at the moment. In the last 4 games they have demolished sides of the caliber of Arsenal and Man City scoring 12 goals in the process. The only blip being a draw in their last match against Aston Villa.

Formation:

The way these 2 sides will set up will be almost identical. Under Leonardo, Milan have stuck to a 4-3-3 formation which is generally a 4-3-2-1. United generally a side playing 4-4-2, have started playing the same 4-3-3 formation in Europe as well as in England.

Keeper:

Regenerated Nelson Dida will be in goal for the Rossoneri whereas Edwin Van de Sar will be custodian for United.

Advantage: United

Defense:

AC Milan

There is no Maldini or Cafu this time around in defense. Milan have found a new pairing in the form of Thiago Silva and Alessandro Nesta who have been quite solid so far. Full- backs are the problem for Milan. Zambrotta, Oddo and Jankulovski are on the other side of 30. Pace can be used to exploit the wide areas. Other options include young Luca Antonini and Ignazio Abate. The weakest part in the Milan outfit.

Manchester United

Centre-backs..centre backs…centre backs. They have one of the best central defensive pairing in world football. However the season has been such that Ferdinand and Vidic have only had a handful of games together. Vidic has been left out of the squad for this game. So Ferdinand will be paired by either Brown or Evans. Patrice Evra at left back has been rock solid this season. At right back Neville, Rafael or even Brown can be played depending upon who plays in the centre. Things get interesting here. If Neville plays then Pato can be used on the left flank. His pace will be difficult for Neville to handle. On the other hand if Rafael plays then it will be Ronaldinho who finds himself on the left flank trying to outsmart the young Brazilian.

Advantage: The team sheet will do the talking

Midfield:

AC Milan

Andrea Pirlo will be the key man for Milan in midfield. He has been the playmaker for Milan all these years. He will be joined by some combination of Captian Ambrosini, Gattuso, Seedorf and Beckham. The biggest factor here is that although the midfield is experienced it lacks pace. But nothing can be taken for granted. Seedorf was the architect last time when they outplayed United at San Siro. Gattuso that day managed to keep Ronaldo silent. Ronaldinho and Pato will play on the flanks. Ronaldinho is slowly coming back to his normal self. United fans will be hoping he has a quiet game. Pato after a phenomenal season last year has been subdued so far. You never know when he may be back to his best.

Manchester United

The midfield is much more stable. Scholes, Carrick and Fletcher will form the 3 man midfield. Fletcher is very important for United. His absence was felt more than ever in last year’s final. Scholes has been in great form recently. If he performs like he has been doing recently then United will come back with a win for sure. On the flanks Sir Alex will have to choose from Nani, Valencia and Park. I have a feeling it’s going to be Nani on the right flank and Park on the left. Nani is playing his best football at United right now. He can use his pace and trickery against the area where Milan are weakest: the flanks. Park on the other hand is full of energy and more than often finds himself on the team sheet in Europe. Who can forget the game he had away to Barcelona in the semi-finals two years back. Another advantage of playing this combination is the inter changebility that these two offer.

Advantage: It’s a difficult call. United have their noses ahead on the basis of current form. But vary of Seedorf and co.

Upfront:

AC Milan

Either Marco Borriello or Huntelaar will lead the line against United. Borriello is a genuine target man while Huntelaar who has always be linked with United will be looking to repeat his performance against Udinese.

Manchester United

Without doubt the best player in the world at the moment, Rooney will hope to continue his scorching form. He has already scored 23 goals this season and is the top marksman in Europe. Berbatov may also be given a chance mostly later in the game. However he can be as deadly as anyone in the box.

Advantage: United. The Rooney factor is too strong.

Just In: Team News

MilanOut: Marco Borriello (knee), Gianluca Zambrotta (muscular problem)Doubtful: noneSuspended: noneMisses next match if booked: Ignazio Abate

Manchester UnitedOut: John O’Shea (leg), Nemanja Vidi? (calf), Ryan Giggs (fractured right arm), Anderson (unknown)Doubtful: Rio Ferdinand (back)Suspended: noneMisses next match if booked: Nemanja Vidi?

Final Call:

The game will be a tight one. Tactics will play a very big part. It’s Sir Alex versus Leonardo. Who gets the better of the other will decide the outcome after 90 minutes. Milan have a bad home record this year in the UCL. They have picked up only 2 out of the 9 points on offer at home so far. Arsenal were the last English team to visit San Siro with the visitors winning 2-0 on that occasion. United on the other hand have a phenomenal away record. In the last 15 matches the Red Devils are unbeaten on their travels. However, United have never won at the San Siro. It has been a fortress so far. Can they do it this time around? Only time will tell. Football is a funny game. Anything can happen in 90 minutes. But everything points to a result favoring the English side. A scored draw or a win.