Real Madrid and AC Milan, two of Europe’s most storied clubs, are set to face off in a crucial Champions League group stage match at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night. This encounter promises to be a thrilling contest between two teams with rich European pedigrees.
Real Madrid enter this match looking to bounce back from a shocking 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in El Clasico. Los Blancos have had an extended break since that match, as their weekend La Liga fixture against Valencia was postponed due to severe flooding in Spain. Carlo Ancelotti’s side currently sit 12th in the Champions League table with 6 points from 3 matches, having beaten Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund but losing to Lille.
AC Milan, on the other hand, come into this match on the back of a narrow 1-0 victory over Monza in Serie A. The Rossoneri have had a mixed start to their Champions League campaign, losing their first two matches against Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen before securing a 3-1 win over Club Brugge. They currently occupy 25th place in the group standings with 3 points.
For Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe will be eager to make his mark in this high-profile clash. Vinicius Junior’s pace and skill could prove crucial in breaking down Milan’s defense. Jude Bellingham has been in impressive form and will look to control the midfield battle.
On the AC Milan side, Rafael Leao is expected to start and could be a game-changer despite a slow start to the season. Christian Pulisic has been in good form and leads Milan’s scoring charts with 5 goals. Alvaro Morata will be motivated to perform against his old club.
This match marks the 16th meeting between these two European giants. The head-to-head record is perfectly balanced, with both teams having won 6 matches each and 3 draws. Their most famous encounter was the 1958 European Cup final, which Real Madrid won 3-2. Milan have only won once at the Bernabeu, a victory that came in the 2009-10 Champions League group stage. This will be the first meeting between the two sides since the 2010-11 Champions League group stage.
Team News
Real Madrid will be without several key players for this crucial match. Dani Carvajal, Thibaut Courtois, Rodrygo, and David Alaba are all sidelined due to injuries. However, there’s positive news regarding Antonio Rudiger, who is expected to be fit despite recent concerns over a knee problem.
Milan also have their share of injury concerns. Luka Jovic, Matteo Gabbia, Ismael Bennacer, and Alessandro Florenzi are all unavailable for selection. However, Tammy Abraham has returned to the squad and will be available for the match.
Expected Starting XIs
Real Madrid: Lunin; Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Modric; Bellingham; Vinicius, Mbappe
AC Milan: Maignan; Royal, Thiaw, Tomori, Hernandez; Loftus-Cheek, Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Morata, Leao
Match Prediction
While AC Milan have the quality to trouble Real Madrid, Los Blancos will be eager to bounce back from their El Clasico defeat. The home advantage and the extra rest could prove crucial for Real Madrid.
This match promises to be a captivating encounter between two of Europe’s most successful clubs. With both teams needing a win to improve their positions in the group, we can expect an intense and closely fought battle at the Bernabeu.
Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Milan
