UEFA Champions League Manchester Utd V AC Milan

AC Milan welcome Manchester United to the San Siro seeking to maintain their 100% winning record at home against the English champions. With Milan lies one of Uniteds most famous sons, none other than David Beckham.

Becks is back at the San Siro for a second loan spell from LA Galaxy, and could well line up for the first time against the club with which he made his name – and won the UEFA Champions League in 1999.




Milan have beaten United on their four previous visits yet their home form this season is far from intimidating, Leonardo's side having failed to win any of their group stage games. United, by contrast, have been impressive on their travels and have not lost an away tie in the UEFA Champions League since going down to Milan in the 2006/07 semi-finals.

Previous meetings:
• Milan have emerged victorious on each previous occasion the clubs have met over two legs in Europe.

• They first faced each other in the European Champion Clubs' Cup semi-finals in 1957/58, when Milan became the first team to overturn a first-leg deficit against United in the competition. Beaten 2-1 at Old Trafford, the Italian side ran out 4-0 winners in the return.

• When the sides met again in the 1968/69 semi-finals, Milan prevailed 2-1 on aggregate. The Rossoneri followed up a 2-0 home success with a 1-0 defeat in Manchester, where present-day United director Sir Bobby Charlton found the net.

• Milan recorded 1-0 victories home and away in the teams UEFA Champions League first knockout round encounter in 2004/05, Hernan Crespo scoring in both games.

Milan:
Milan’s season began with a bold proclamation. Owner Silvio Berlusconi told Ronaldinho that, with Kaka gone, it was up to him to lead the team and reclaim his status as best player in the world. While he isn’t quite there yet, the Brazilian has reversed two years of decline to become an integral part of the Rossoneri.

Borriello is usually flanked by Ronaldinho and Pato. Ronnie has lost a bit of pace and, while he can still beat defenders, usually lacks the acceleration to get away from them. Yet he’s still a threat at set-pieces and his ability to conjure something out of nothing makes him a constant threat. As for Pato, he’s having a relatively quiet season after a brilliant 2008/09 campaign that prompted many to name him among the top five strikers in the world. That said, he’s still only 20 and his rare blend of pace, creativity and aerial ability suggest that it’s just a matter of time and he could be back to his best at any moment.

The only certainty in midfield is the elegant playmaker, Andrea Pirlo. He’s still the team’s brain though compared to recent seasons, not quite everything goes through him, largely because Milan now have the option of going direct to Borriello. Pirlo will be joined by some combination of Massimo Ambrosini, Gattuso, Clarence Seedorf and, of course, David Beckham.

At the back, Milan effectively have a brand new partnership: Thiago Silva and Alessandro Nesta. Brazilian international Thiago has been an instant hit, while injury-hit Nesta is back to his old, pacy, uncompromising self. The two have been Milan’s defensive rock, playing alongside a rotating cast of unremarkable full backs, young (Luca Antonini, Ignazio Abate) and old (Massimo Oddo, Marek Jankulovski, Gianluca Zambrotta).

Pato aside, there is little pace in midfield or attack, there isn’t much depth in defence and, well, you always wonder whether Dida is going to have ‘one of those nights’. Yet at the same time their brand of entertaining, creative football is a welcome change, and there’s a certain carefree style surrounding this team. The glory days may be over, but Milan have the quality to topple anybody in Europe.

Currently sit 2nd in Serie A




Manchester Utd:
Uniteds season began with the departure of big names Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, and the big question on everyone’s lips was can the football powerhouse remain just that.

Wayne Rooney is in the form of his life and probably the main reason United have remained in the hunt for the EPL title. He currently sits on 23 goals in all competitions but it is his work ethic more than anything that has some calling him the best player in the world at this current point in time. Usually playing alongside Berbatov upfront depending on the thoughts of Manager Sir Alex Ferguson, United also have the option of playing Michael Owen who has scored 7 goals in all competitions including a hat-trick against Wolfsburg. Young Gun Mame Diouf may also feature on the bench.

After the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo a dominant midfielder seems to be lacking in the United setup. Nani was the player who seemed destined to step up but hasn’t taken his opportunities and only recently has put his name back in the frame. Antonio Valencia, Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick have been very good in their roles for the team and should feature against Milan with Park and Anderson also more than likely. Ryan Giggs won’t play in the first leg after fracturing his arm against Aston Villa.

At the back United haven’t been at full strength for a solid period at any one time but have done well with the problems at hand. At one point in the season Carrick and Evra were the centre back pairing but they are well equipped now with the return of Jonny Evans, Wes Brown, Nemanja Vidic who is returning to fitness and Rio Ferdinand. Rafael has been solid in the gametime he has received and Patrice Evra has been wonderful.

As a whole United haven’t looked as dominating as previous seasons but still find themselves within reach of top in the EPL and still did enough to finish top of their group in the UEFA Champions League. A brilliant team in all aspects, dangerous on the counter and with an in form Wayne Rooney up front United will be as hard as any to beat. Possibly lacking that creative play at times but generally make-up for it with pin point passing and the ability to always be moving, pushing forward and team work that is second to none still leave United with the belief that they can conquer the world.

Currently sit 2nd in EPL




Final Word:
The 2nd leg at OT will be one to behold, the return of the man who led us to glory so many times and so many people looked up to. He will be looking to prove a point of sorts and have a great game for sure.

I feel overall we will be too strong but at the San Siro I will take a draw and I’m tipping a 1-1 scoreline. At OT I feel if everyone is fit we will win. Tune in..