Payback is a bi*ch – Milan pre-preview

So finally it is here. Real Madrid face AC Milan at the San Siro on Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League 2008-09 Group Stages. Kaká returns to the San Siro where he served loyally until he found himself a better life at Real Madrid during the summer of ‘09. And he is a part of the Real Madrid side which will be looking to get three points out of a game by the end of which they could be topping the group at the expense of their opponents if all goes well.

Speaking about Kaká, the former Milan star spoke to the press after landing in Milan with his new team-mates for the first time. He said that the Milanese will not be hostile towards him:

For what I have achieved at the club in the years I spent there, I expect a warm welcome from the Rossoneri fans.

Milan’s own Brazilian play-maker Ronaldinho, meanwhile, wants to shine in this match more than any other. He said:

I have been delivering many assists in recent games but this time I want to score.

Last time out he was out shone by almost everyone else around him including the referee.

As weird a coincidence as it may be, both teams are coming out of 2-0 league wins at home with both goals coming from a single player. Milan defeated Parma thanks two a Marco Boriello brace, both set up by Ronaldinho, and were his first of the campaign on what was his first start since recovering from injury. Real Madrid, on the other hand are coming out of their own 2-0 win against crosstown rivals Getafe CF with Higuaín getting on the score-sheet both times. It was their first win in four matches in all competitions.

As far as team news is concerned Milan will definitely be without Christian Abbiati (knee), Davide Di Gennaro (toe), Oguchi Onyewu (knee), Marco Storari (thigh), Marek Jankulovski (ankle) while Alessandro Nesta (thigh) and Luca Antonini (thigh) will remain doubtfull. Gianluca Zambrotta will miss their next Champions League game if booked. Real Madrid are without Cristiano Ronaldo (ankle) and Ezequiel Garay (achilles) through their respective injuries.  Christoph Metzelder and Guti have been dropped for tactical reasons.

Madrid’s last visit to Milan was in November 2002, a 1-0 defeat in the second group stage. They have since made six trips to Italy, losing on four occasions. Their only victory in that period came in December 2004 when they won 3-0 at AS Roma in an empty Stadio Olimpico. Milan’s reverse against Zürich means they have now lost two in a row in the UEFA Champions League at San Siro. Their preceding home game was a 2-0 defeat by Arsenal FC in the 2007/08 first knockout round. Real will be hoping to complete the hat-trick.

Milan have won all five home matches against Madrid, conceding only one goal. That came in their first meeting in Italy, in a semi-final second leg in the European Champion Clubs’ Cup’s debut season of 1955/56. The Rossoneri edged that game 2-1, yet Madrid won the tie 5-4 on aggregate en route to the first of five successive crowns. And in 12 encounters, Milan and Madrid have drawn just once – 1-1 in the first leg of their 1988/89 European Cup semi-final. Milan won the second leg 5-0 and went on to lift the trophy.

If there’s one thing I am sure about then it is the fact that it won’t happen again.

Payback is a bi*ch indeed!

The proper review to follow…

Para Siempre Blanco!

Hala Madrid!!