Milan vs Real Preview

Milan vs Real Preview

 

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri wants his players to forget their Juventus loss against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The Italians go into the game at the San Siro on Wednesday evening on the back of Saturday's 2-1 loss, which saw them drop five points behind Serie A leaders Lazio. The result marked Milan's first league defeat at home in 10 months.
"I am disappointed by the result as we didn't deserve to lose," said Allegri.
"We played well and created many goalscoring opportunities.
"We must put this defeat behind us and bounce back immediately in order to prepare well for the game against Real Madrid."
The Rossoneri host the Spanish giants sitting second in Group G, five points behind leaders Real and level on four points with Ajax.
The Dutch side visit Stade Abbe-Deschamps to meet bottom side Auxerre, who have yet to clinch a point in the competition.
AC Milan playmaker Ronaldinho knows his team cannot be complacent in the early stages of the match.
The Rossoneri lost 2-0 at Real last month after giving away two goals in the opening 14 minutes.
"To concede twice early on made life difficult for us," said Ronaldinho. "We must be focused from start to finish.
"This is a very important game for us and we must only think of doing what the coach asks us to do in order to clinch three points."
Milan will be without injured pair Massimo Oddo and Daniele Bonera.
Massimo Ambrosini, Gianluca Zambrotta and Ronaldinho have all recovered from their respective injuries and are available for selection.
Allegri is hoping to have Thiago Silva available with the Brazilian defender fighting against the clock to recover from an ankle problem.
Madrid make the trip to the San Siro looking to continue their superb start to life under Jose Mourinho and knowing a win will see them qualify for the last 16.
Since Mourinho took charge this summer, Madrid are yet to be beaten and have picked up 10 wins from 13 games in all competitions.
Their dangerman is Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 11 goals in his last six appearances.
With Ronaldo and his fellow forwards in such good form, Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira believes if his side can keep it tight at the back then the victory will be theirs tomorrow night.
"If we keep a clean sheet we will win the match. The big teams in Europe who manage to go far are almost always the ones who concede the fewest goals. That's the key to success. A good defence wins titles," said Khedira, whose team have conceded just five goals under Mourinho.
The German international knows it will not be easy, though, as seven-times European champions Milan can ill afford to drop more points.
"It will be a difficult match. (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic, (Alexandre) Pato, Ronaldinho, Robinho, also (Clarence) Seedorf, (Kevin-Prince) Boateng...they are all exceptional players and even more so when you allow them to play their own game," Khedira said.
"(Gennaro) Gattuso and (Andrea) Pirlo are also very dangerous. If you don't take them seriously they can have you up against the ropes."
He added: "Our objective is to get the three points to get through to the last 16.
"We played an almost perfect game against them at the Bernabeu, defending very well against their strong attack.
"We are in good condition to overcome a very strong team like Milan away from home and get this win."

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