Teams
Man Utd.
Milan
Kick-Off: Tuesday,
February 16, 2010,
20:45 CET.
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza,
Milan.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.
Don't Miss...
"Ignacio Abate - the
Ringo Starr of San Siro"
You can find all our
Man Utd-Milan
editorial content
here
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 (H) -
WON 3-1 (League Cup)
January 23 v Hull City
(H) - 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
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ronaldinho (Milan)
Ronaldinho has been on
fire for Milan this
season and has
undergone an almost
radical rejuvenation. He
has impressive
statistics with nine
goals and nine assists in
22 matches in Serie A.
The former Barcelona
playmaker was in great
form on Friday too
when Milan edged past
Udinese 3-2 to remain
third in the Serie A
table. Ronnie would be
Milan's main playmaker
on Tuesday night and
he would be trying to
expose the lack of
quality that United
have on the wings.
Darren Fletcher
(Manchester United)
Detractors would
suggest that Darren
Fletcher doesn't have
much talent and they
are right too, but the
fact cannot be denied
that he has been the
best player for
Manchester United this
campaign. Fletcher had
started to show his
quality last season and
this term he has been
brilliant with three goals
and three assists in 21
league matches. Against
a rather slow Milan
midfield that relies
heavily on passes and
individual tricks,
Fletcher's commitment
and hard work would be
assets for the Red
Devils.
PREDICTION
It wouldn't be easy for
Milan especially as
Manchester United
would be happy with a
draw or a 2-1 defeat.
However, Milan do have
more quality upfront
and with Alexandro
Pato retuning from
injury against Udinese in
fine form, it would be
difficult for the United
defence not to concede
at least two goals.
Milan 3-1 Manchester
United
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Champions LeaguePreview: AC Milan -Manchester United
Teams
Man Utd.
Milan
Kick-Off: Tuesday,
February 16, 2010,
20:45 CET.
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza,
Milan.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.
Don't Miss...
"Ignacio Abate - the
Ringo Starr of San Siro"
You can find all our
Man Utd-Milan
editorial content
here
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 (H) -
WON 3-1 (League Cup)
January 23 v Hull City
(H) - 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
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ronaldinho (Milan)
Ronaldinho has been on
fire for Milan this
season and has
undergone an almost
radical rejuvenation. He
has impressive
statistics with nine
goals and nine assists in
22 matches in Serie A.
The former Barcelona
playmaker was in great
form on Friday too
when Milan edged past
Udinese 3-2 to remain
third in the Serie A
table. Ronnie would be
Milan's main playmaker
on Tuesday night and
he would be trying to
expose the lack of
quality that United
have on the wings.
Darren Fletcher
(Manchester United)
Detractors would
suggest that Darren
Fletcher doesn't have
much talent and they
are right too, but the
fact cannot be denied
that he has been the
best player for
Manchester United this
campaign. Fletcher had
started to show his
quality last season and
this term he has been
brilliant with three goals
and three assists in 21
league matches. Against
a rather slow Milan
midfield that relies
heavily on passes and
individual tricks,
Fletcher's commitment
and hard work would be
assets for the Red
Devils.
PREDICTION
It wouldn't be easy for
Milan especially as
Manchester United
would be happy with a
draw or a 2-1 defeat.
However, Milan do have
more quality upfront
and with Alexandro
Pato retuning from
injury against Udinese in
fine form, it would be
difficult for the United
defence not to concede
at least two goals.
Milan 3-1 Manchester
United
Man Utd.
Milan
Kick-Off: Tuesday,
February 16, 2010,
20:45 CET.
Stadio Giuseppe Meazza,
Milan.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.
Don't Miss...
"Ignacio Abate - the
Ringo Starr of San Siro"
You can find all our
Man Utd-Milan
editorial content
here
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 (H) -
WON 3-1 (League Cup)
January 23 v Hull City
(H) - 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
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ronaldinho (Milan)
Ronaldinho has been on
fire for Milan this
season and has
undergone an almost
radical rejuvenation. He
has impressive
statistics with nine
goals and nine assists in
22 matches in Serie A.
The former Barcelona
playmaker was in great
form on Friday too
when Milan edged past
Udinese 3-2 to remain
third in the Serie A
table. Ronnie would be
Milan's main playmaker
on Tuesday night and
he would be trying to
expose the lack of
quality that United
have on the wings.
Darren Fletcher
(Manchester United)
Detractors would
suggest that Darren
Fletcher doesn't have
much talent and they
are right too, but the
fact cannot be denied
that he has been the
best player for
Manchester United this
campaign. Fletcher had
started to show his
quality last season and
this term he has been
brilliant with three goals
and three assists in 21
league matches. Against
a rather slow Milan
midfield that relies
heavily on passes and
individual tricks,
Fletcher's commitment
and hard work would be
assets for the Red
Devils.
PREDICTION
It wouldn't be easy for
Milan especially as
Manchester United
would be happy with a
draw or a 2-1 defeat.
However, Milan do have
more quality upfront
and with Alexandro
Pato retuning from
injury against Udinese in
fine form, it would be
difficult for the United
defence not to concede
at least two goals.
Milan 3-1 Manchester
United
AC Milan's ClarenceSeedorf:Manchester UnitedAre In TransitionAnd ChampionsLeague Outsiders
AC Milan midfielder
Clarence Seedorf
believes that
Manchester United are
not one of the clubs
that can go on and win
the Champions League
this year.
Speaking to Sky Sports
ahead of Tuesday's
mega-clash at San Siro,
Seedorf also tipped
Chelsea and Barcelona
ahead of the English
champions for European
glory this season.
He said: "I think that
Manchester [United] is
also an outsider this
year because I think
that Chelsea and
Barcelona are the two
teams that are actually
the favourites.
"I'm saying this because
Manchester went
through a transition
period, losing their main
player [Cristiano]
Ronaldo. They are doing
well but it is a different
team from last year."
Seedorf also gave his
opinion on coach
Leonardo, who finally
seems to be getting
the best out of the
Rossoneri after a shaky
start in charge saw him
draw criticism from the
Italian media.
He said: "He [Leonardo]
has been a player for
15 years. A long career,
so we are all used to
that; people catching
you.
"So I don't think that is
a big issue. There is
pressure, but I think
that Leonardo needs to
be complemented for
what he has done until
now."
Touching on the John
Terry captaincy saga
and the decision to
award the England
armband to Rio
Ferdinand, Seedorf says
that the decision did
not surprise him.
However, he added that
Wayne Rooney could
also have been an
option for manager
Fabio Capello.
"I'm not suprised, but I
would have thought of
some other players too
[for the captaincy]. I
was thinking about
[Wayne] Rooney.
Especially Rooney
actually. And I was
thinking about [Rio]
Ferdinand.
"Those two players
have what they show
on the pitch, at least
the personality and the
technical importance for
the team to be a
captain."
Clarence Seedorf
believes that
Manchester United are
not one of the clubs
that can go on and win
the Champions League
this year.
Speaking to Sky Sports
ahead of Tuesday's
mega-clash at San Siro,
Seedorf also tipped
Chelsea and Barcelona
ahead of the English
champions for European
glory this season.
He said: "I think that
Manchester [United] is
also an outsider this
year because I think
that Chelsea and
Barcelona are the two
teams that are actually
the favourites.
"I'm saying this because
Manchester went
through a transition
period, losing their main
player [Cristiano]
Ronaldo. They are doing
well but it is a different
team from last year."
Seedorf also gave his
opinion on coach
Leonardo, who finally
seems to be getting
the best out of the
Rossoneri after a shaky
start in charge saw him
draw criticism from the
Italian media.
He said: "He [Leonardo]
has been a player for
15 years. A long career,
so we are all used to
that; people catching
you.
"So I don't think that is
a big issue. There is
pressure, but I think
that Leonardo needs to
be complemented for
what he has done until
now."
Touching on the John
Terry captaincy saga
and the decision to
award the England
armband to Rio
Ferdinand, Seedorf says
that the decision did
not surprise him.
However, he added that
Wayne Rooney could
also have been an
option for manager
Fabio Capello.
"I'm not suprised, but I
would have thought of
some other players too
[for the captaincy]. I
was thinking about
[Wayne] Rooney.
Especially Rooney
actually. And I was
thinking about [Rio]
Ferdinand.
"Those two players
have what they show
on the pitch, at least
the personality and the
technical importance for
the team to be a
captain."
BREAKING NEWS:Daniele Bonera ToStart For MilanAgainst ManchesterUnited
defender Daniele Bonera
will be handed a
starting berth in his
side's crucial first-leg
Champions League round
of 16 encounter against
Manchester United later
on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old has
only featured four
times for the Rossoneri
in 2009-10, but will
take the place of
Ignazio Abate at right-
back as Leonardo opts
for a more defensive
approach, perhaps wary
of the capabilities of
opponents Nani or
Antonio Valencia on the
flank.
Abate was recently
exposed in the Milan
derby against Inter,
when Diego Milito took
advantage of his error
to score the first goal
of the match.
It had been suggested
that Bonera would step
in alongside Alessandro
Nesta for centre-back
Thiago Silva due to
injury, but the Brazilian
is now expected to
play. Thus the backline
will consist of Bonera,
Nesta, Thiago Silva, and
likely Luca Antonini on
the left.
Bonera joined Milan in
2006 after successful
spells with Brescia and
Parma, but has failed to
become a regular at
San Siro due to injury,
form, and tactical
choices, often finding
himself low in the
pecking order.
will be handed a
starting berth in his
side's crucial first-leg
Champions League round
of 16 encounter against
Manchester United later
on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old has
only featured four
times for the Rossoneri
in 2009-10, but will
take the place of
Ignazio Abate at right-
back as Leonardo opts
for a more defensive
approach, perhaps wary
of the capabilities of
opponents Nani or
Antonio Valencia on the
flank.
Abate was recently
exposed in the Milan
derby against Inter,
when Diego Milito took
advantage of his error
to score the first goal
of the match.
It had been suggested
that Bonera would step
in alongside Alessandro
Nesta for centre-back
Thiago Silva due to
injury, but the Brazilian
is now expected to
play. Thus the backline
will consist of Bonera,
Nesta, Thiago Silva, and
likely Luca Antonini on
the left.
Bonera joined Milan in
2006 after successful
spells with Brescia and
Parma, but has failed to
become a regular at
San Siro due to injury,
form, and tactical
choices, often finding
himself low in the
pecking order.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Porto’s Bruno Alves:We have to negateCesc Fabregas
Porto are already thinking
about next Wednesday ’s game
against Arsenal and one of their
plans is to make sure not to
give any space to captain Cesc
Fabregas.
Speaking to the News of the
World, midfielder Bruno Alves
was full of praise for the
Spaniard, declaring how he
stands out for his quality,
reason why he should be given
no room to dictate his game.
Alves said:
It’s Cesc Fabregas who stands
out for his quality, his attacking
play, the way he imposes his
tempo.
He is, without doubt, Arsenal’s
most valuable player. So we
have to negate him.
about next Wednesday ’s game
against Arsenal and one of their
plans is to make sure not to
give any space to captain Cesc
Fabregas.
Speaking to the News of the
World, midfielder Bruno Alves
was full of praise for the
Spaniard, declaring how he
stands out for his quality,
reason why he should be given
no room to dictate his game.
Alves said:
It’s Cesc Fabregas who stands
out for his quality, his attacking
play, the way he imposes his
tempo.
He is, without doubt, Arsenal’s
most valuable player. So we
have to negate him.
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