Carlo Ancelotti faces a sentimental reunion on Tuesday night as Real Madrid hosts his former club, Milan, in the Champions League group stage. A legend at Milan for his successes both as a player and manager, Ancelotti has now established himself as a fixture in Madrid’s rich Champions League history. Despite his celebrated career, the start of the 2024/25 season hasn’t been entirely smooth for him.
Recent Setbacks and the Road Ahead
Madrid’s preparation for this clash was impacted by the recent tragic events in southern Spain, which led to the postponement of their La Liga match against Valencia. Their last appearance, a heavy 4-0 defeat to Barcelona on October 26 in El Clasico, remains fresh in fans’ minds. However, with two victories in their first three group games, Madrid’s spirits were recently lifted by a thrilling 5-2 comeback win against Borussia Dortmund, led by Vinicius Junior.
Meanwhile, Paulo Fonseca’s tenure at Milan has been a rollercoaster, with inconsistent domestic performances leaving them seventh in Serie A. Milan’s first Champions League win came on Matchday 3 with a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge, following losses to Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen.
Match Details: Real Madrid vs Milan:
- Location: Madrid, Spain
- Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
- Date: Tuesday, 5 November
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- Referee: Slavko Vincic (SVN)
- VAR: Pol van Boekel (NED)
Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
- Real Madrid: 2 wins
- Milan: 1 win
- Draws: 2
- Last Meeting: Milan 2-2 Real Madrid (3 November 2010, Champions League)
Current Form
- Real Madrid: Recently lost 4-0 to Barcelona but previously defeated Borussia Dortmund 5-2.
- Milan: Defeated Monza 1-0 on November 2, showing a mix of wins and losses.
Where to Watch Real Madrid vs Milan
- United Kingdom: discovery+, TNT Sports 4
- United States: Paramount+, fuboTV, TUDN.com, Univision NOW, UniMás
- Canada: DAZN
Real Madrid Team News
Rodrygo is expected to make a return from injury, adding a much-needed boost to Madrid’s lineup. Antonio Rudiger’s knee injury seems manageable, allowing him to likely participate as well. The attacking trio will likely see Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, and possibly Rodrygo leading the charge, with veteran Luka Modric in midfield. Concerns linger over Federico Valverde’s stamina, yet he might still start. Key players like Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba, and Dani Carvajal remain sidelined.
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):
Lunin; Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Modric, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius, Mbappe.
Milan Team News
Tammy Abraham has returned to Fonseca’s lineup, but it’s expected that Alvaro Morata will lead the attack. Despite Abraham’s recovery, Milan will still miss Alessandro Florenzi, Luka Jovic, Mattia Gabbia, and Ismael Bennacer due to injuries. Rafael Leao is regaining his form and is expected to start alongside Morata and Christian Pulisic in the Milan forward line.
Milan Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):
Maignan; Royal, Thiaw, Tomori, Hernandez; Loftus-Cheek, Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Morata, Leao.
Score Prediction
Milan’s inconsistent start under Fonseca leaves them vulnerable, especially against a powerhouse like Real Madrid. While Madrid’s defense showed cracks against Barcelona, their extra rest due to the postponed weekend fixture might help them rebound with renewed vigor. Although Milan will have moments of control, Madrid’s attacking firepower is likely to overwhelm the Italian side.
Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Milan
Conclusion
With a mixture of historical connections and current stakes, this clash between Real Madrid and Milan promises to be a compelling encounter. Both teams are vying to make their mark in the Champions League, but Madrid’s recent performances suggest they might have the edge on home turf. Ancelotti’s men will look to put their Barcelona loss behind them, while Milan seeks consistency under Fonseca. Tuesday’s game at the Bernabeu should showcase high-quality football and intense competition, with Real Madrid likely emerging victorious.
Test your Football Knowledge! Visit:
https://www.quizzop.com/football-quiz/category
