Champions League Salvation


Before their game against Udinese on Friday, Milan hadn't won a game in any competition since their defeat to Inter in the Derby della Madonnina. But the 3-2 win against the Bianconeri has put the Rossoneri back on track.

At the moment Milan are third in the Serie A table and at this stage, all they can aspire to accomplish in the domestic arena this campaign is to finish second. Leonardo's side are out of the Coppa Italia and the Champions League is the only way that they can gain salvation.

Playing Manchester United at home in the first-leg of the Round of 16 wouldn't necessarily be an easy task and perhaps Leonardo would have liked the first-leg to have been at Old Trafford. However, the last time the two giants of European football clashed was in the 2006-2007 Champions League semi-finals, which Milan won 5-3 on aggregate.

Moreover, Milan defeated Real Madrid 3-2 at the Bernabeu in the group stages and held the neo-Galacticos to a 1-1 draw at home, so they wouldn't be intimidated by the Red Devils, who do not have a superstar in his prime except Wayne Rooney.

Sheen Lost But Spirit Retained

After Manchester United lost Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid in the summer, many thought that this season the reigning English champions would struggle. Which they did initially and on occasions, but at the moment United are second in the Premier League table, just a solitary point behind leaders Chelsea. Moreover, they won their group in the Champions League quite comfortably.

However, United have yet to come up against any big teams in the Champions League this season and Milan would be their toughest test yet. But playing the first-leg away from home would be a good thing for the Red Devils as they would know that even a defeat wouldn't be bad.

It would be interesting to see how the traveling United fans take to the fact that their former idol and icon David Beckham would be playing against them for the first time since he left Old Trafford in 2003. Beckham has already remarked that he wouldn't celebrate if he scores against his old side but was quick to point out that it wouldn't matter if he doesn't feature on Tuesday night as long as Milan garner a victory.

Another point of interest is that the Rossoneri have never failed to progress when they have faced the English giants in a two-legged tie.


FORM GUIDE

Milan

February 12 v Udinese (H) - WON 3-2 (Serie A)

February 7 v Bologna (A) - DREW 0-0 (Serie A)

January 31 v Livorno (H) - DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

January 27 v Udinese (H) - LOST 1-0 (Coppa Italia)

January 25 v Inter (A) - LOST 2-0 (Serie A)

Manchester United

February 10 v Aston Villa (A) - DREW 1-1 (Premier League)

February 6 v Portsmouth (H) - WON 5-0 (Premier League)

January 31 v Arsenal (A) - WON 3-1 (Premier League)

January 27 v Manchester City - WON 3-2 (League Cup)

January 23 v Hull City - WON 4-0 (Premier League)



TEAM NEWS

Milan

Marco Borriello is out with injury but Alexandre Pato is back. David Beckham might be given the nod ahead of Gennaro Gattuso in the midfield but coach Leonardo might like to go with the Italian given that Beckham could probably struggle against a workman-like United midfield.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Dida, Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Favalli; Gattuso, Ambrosini, Pirlo; Pato, Huntelaar, Ronaldinho

Manchester United

Nemanja Vidic, Ryan Giggs and Anderson have been left behind in Manchester as they all are suffering from injury. Rio Ferdinand and Nani are available as their suspensions cover only domestic matches.

Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Van der Sar, Rafael, Brown, Ferdinand, Evra; Fletcher, Scholes, Nani, Carrick, Valencia; Rooney

chic2pimp:

I'll keep my predictions close to my chest.

Forza Rossoneri!!!

jalether:

You dey fear, spill it out sharp sharp

jalether:

Ronaldinho will put the scummies out of their misery, you heard it here first

Agg- Milan 3-2 man utd

~Borat~:

Only in your dreams will manscum score two goals at the sansiro. . .
Milan 3 - 0 tarados

tayoccu:

man utd should be careful, they were the last english side to be knocked out of the UCL by an italian team.

@OP
nice work, but try not to copy and paste again.
and add a poll will you

tkb417:

i see a 1-1 draw

fortman:

up man u for life