Serie A giants AC Milan will hit the road to square up against a wounded Real Madrid side looking to return to winning ways.
Both Real Madrid and AC Milan managed to secure all three points in their last UEFA Champions League fixture and will be looking to build on that when they square up against each other at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night.
Los Blancos’ league fixture against Valencia was postponed after the Valencian province was hit by a storm. The team in white have been on a break since their 4-0 defeat against Barcelona in the Classico. They have had a significant amount of time to reflect on that defeat and will now be looking to get things back on track against Milan.
While Carlo Ancelotti’s team did suffer a massive blow against LOSC Lille on Matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League, they returned to winning ways against Borussia Dortmund by scripting an incredible comeback win. Now, the Merengues will be looking to push into the top eight of the table with another win.
AC Milan have endured a poor start to their Champions League campaign as they lost their first two outings against Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen. While they did beat Club Brugge, the Italian giants need to continue in similar fashion if they want to book a slot in the round of 16.
Milan’s league form has not been that great either, but they did return to winning ways against Monza and will hope to build on it when they square up against the record winners of the Champions League. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti will remain without the services of Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, and David Alaba for this fixture. While Antonio Rudiger has been struggling with a knee problem, he is expected to be fully fit to take part in this fixture. Rodrygo is back in the squad but he is unlikely to be risked from the start.
Real Madrid have not played since losing the Clasico. As a result, they should start with their strongest possible XI. Andriy Lunin will be in goal for the home team, while Lucas Vazquez and Ferland Mendy are expected to be the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Eder Militao should partner with German star Rudiger.
While Aurelien Tchouameni is the preferred defensive midfield choice for the team in white, he might be subject to the bench here. Eduardo Camavinga could take up that role, with Federico Valverde and Luka Modric in his support. Jude Bellingham should continue in the number ten role, with Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe leading the line.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Lunin; Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Modric; Bellingham; Vinicius, Mbappe
AC Milan
Paulo Fonseca will be without the services of Luka Jovic, Matteo Gabbia, Ismael Bennacer and Alessandro Florenzi. Tammy Abraham returned to the squad in their last outing and will be available for selection. Rafael Leao, who has struggled for form of late and was benched in their last fixture, should start this all-important game against Real Madrid.
AC Milan will go ahead with the 4-3-3 formation, where Mike Maignan will be in goal. Emerson Royal and Theo Hernandez will be the full-backs, while Malick Thiaw and Fikayo Tomori will feature in the heart of the defence.
Youssouf Fofana will take charge in a defensive role in the centre of the park, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tijjani Reijnders are expected to be in his support. In attack, Alvaro Morata should continue to lead the line for them. Leao should feature on the left flank, while Christian Pulisic should start on the right.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Maignan; Royal, Thiaw, Tomori, Hernandez; Loftus-Cheek, Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Morata, Leao
Key Stats
- Real Madrid and AC Milan have both won six matches apiece out of the 15 played between the two in the Champions League.
- The Italian giants are winless in their last three games against Los Blancos in the UEFA Champions League.
- AC Milan last won against Real Madrid back in October 2009.
- AC Milan have only won once at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu and that win came in the group stage of 2009/10.
- Real Madrid have won 17 out of their last 18 matches against Italian opposition in the Champions League.
Player to Watch
Vinicius Junior
Vinicius Junior looked all set to win the Ballon d’Or, but things did not go according to plan for the Brazilian as his finished second behind Rodri. It was a massive blow for the young winger, who has been in phenomenal form of late. He already has eight goals and seven assists this season and will be eager to put up a massive performance following the Ballon d’Or snub.
Prediction
Real Madrid 3-1 AC Milan
Real Madrid are heading into this fixture on the back of a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Barcelona. While the last result suggests they could have a tough time against AC Milan, Carlo Ancelotti’s team have had enough time to reflect on that defeat, and they should bring their A-game to the table against the Rossoneri. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for the home team.