UEFA Champions League action returns this week and peak of the bunch on Tuesday is Real Madrid hosting AC Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu in a much-anticipated Champions League clash between two clubs with the most titles in the competition.
Los Blancos showed their attacking prowess by overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Borussia Dortmund 5-2 in a stunning comeback last time out on Match-day 3, although that was followed by a heavy 4-0 loss to Barcelona in El Clasico, leaving Carlo Ancelotti’s side eager for redemption.
Real Madrid’s week saw them out of La Liga action as last Saturday’s fixture against Valencia was postponed due to severe flash flooding in Spain.
AC Milan, on the other hand, are coming off their first win in the Champions League against Club Brugge, giving them a much-needed confidence boost, and will be hoping to build on this success to ensure a steady path through the competition.
Team News
Real Madrid will be without Dani Carvajal, Thibaut Courtois, Rodrygo, and David Alaba due to injuries, though there’s hope Antonio Rudiger may make a return.
AC Milan faces their own absences, with Luka Jovic, Matteo Gabbia, Ismael Bennacer, and Alessandro Florenzi all unavailable. However, Tammy Abraham is back, and Rafael Leao may also make the starting line-up.
Head-to-Head
Both teams have met 15 times and won six games apiece, with three more matches between them ending in draws. That said, Real Madrid have the edge in clashes between them at the Bernabeu, winning five of seven games and losing just once.
Possible Line-ups
Real Madrid XI: A. Lunin – L. Vazquez, E. Milltao, A. Rudiger, F. Mendy – L. Modric, E. Camavinga, F. Valverde – J. Bellingham, K. Mbappe and Vinicius Jr..
AC Milan XI: M. Maignan – Emerson, F. Tomori, S. Pavlovic, T. Hernandez – Y. Fofana, R. Loftus-Cheek, T. Reijnders – C. Pulisic, R. Leao, A. Morata.
Prediction
While AC Milan have an exciting set of players that can get the needed result on their day, the might of Real Madrid – especially at home in the Champions League – could prove a bit too much to handle for the Italian side. Bank on a Real Madrid win for this one here.