As the Champions League 2024:25 league phase intensifies, Real Madrid prepares to host AC Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu. The fixture brings added intrigue as Real Madrid’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, faces his former club.
Ancelotti, revered in Milan for his achievements both on and off the pitch, now stands as one of the Champions League’s most decorated managers. Tuesday night promises a thrilling battle between two storied clubs, each seeking to bolster their European aspirations. Here’s what to anticipate in this highly anticipated encounter.
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Real Madrid vs Milan: Preview
Carlo Ancelotti’s career is intertwined with AC Milan, where he achieved greatness both as a player and manager, lifting the prestigious trophy multiple times. Now in charge of Real Madrid, Ancelotti has continued his success in Europe, evolving into a true Champion League maestro. However, the beginning of the 2024/25 season has not gone entirely according to plan for Ancelotti. His Madrid side suffered a humbling 4-0 defeat to rivals Barcelona in El Clasico and faced disruption when their La Liga fixture against Valencia was postponed due to severe flooding in southern Spain. With these setbacks, Ancelotti and his team are under pressure to rebound with a strong performance against Milan.
Despite their domestic struggles, Real Madrid’s Champions League campaign has shown promise. After an early setback against Lille, Madrid found their rhythm, notching two consecutive wins. A comeback victory over Borussia Dortmund marked by Vinicius Junior’s stellar hat-trick showcased the resilience of the Spanish giants. Entering the clash with AC Milan, Real Madrid sits in a promising position with six points from three matches. The team hopes to leverage their recent success at the Bernabeu, where they have consistently dazzled fans with their potent offense.
Milan’s new manager, Paulo Fonseca, has endured a challenging start. Domestically, Milan has struggled to find consistency, sitting in seventh place in Serie A. In Europe, the Rossoneri’s Champions League journey has been a rollercoaster. They lost their first two group games against Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen, but bounced back with a vital 3-1 victory over Club Brugge. While this win provided a morale boost, the trip to Madrid represents a far tougher test for Milan, especially given their recent defensive vulnerabilities.
All eyes will be on Real Madrid’s attack, led by Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe. Despite narrowly missing out on the Ballon d’Or to Manchester City’s Rodri, Vinicius has been in scintillating form. His recent hat-trick against Dortmund reaffirmed his goal-scoring prowess. Meanwhile, Mbappe, who joined Madrid in a high-profile summer move, is still settling into the team but remains a significant threat. Their combined speed and technical skill are expected to pose considerable challenges for Milan’s defense, which has struggled to maintain clean sheets on the road this season.
Milan’s defensive record has been shaky both domestically and in Europe. With five goals conceded in their three Champions League games, and eleven in Serie A, Milan’s backline remains vulnerable. Real Madrid, conversely, has enjoyed a goal-laden season at home, netting eight times in just two games against Stuttgart and Dortmund. If Milan is to have any chance at the Bernabeu, they will need a disciplined defensive performance to neutralize Madrid’s versatile front three of Rodrygo, Vinicius, and Mbappe.
Real Madrid vs Milan: Recent Form
Real Madrid (in all competitions): L-W-W-W-L
Milan (in all competitions): L-W-W-L-L
Real Madrid vs Milan: Head-to-head
- Total Matches: 15
- Real Madrid won: 06
- AC Milan won: 06
- Draws: 03
Real Madrid vs Milan: Team News and Predicted Lineup
Real Madrid – Team News
Madrid will gain a boost with Rodrygo’s return to the squad after a short absence due to injury, and the Brazilian forward could be reintroduced directly into the starting lineup on Tuesday night. Additionally, Antonio Rudiger is expected to be available despite recent knee concerns.
Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe are set to lead the attack, possibly joined by Rodrygo, while experienced midfielder Luka Modric is likely to be considered in central midfield. Although there is some concern regarding Federico Valverde’s workload, the Uruguayan may still be fit to start.
Madrid will continue to be without Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba, and Dani Carvajal.
Real Madrid – Predicted Lineup (4-3-1-2)
- Goalkeeper – Lunin
- Defenders – Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy
- Midfielders – Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Camavinga
- Forwards – Vinicius, Mbappe
Milan – Team News
Tammy Abraham made his return to Fonseca’s lineup against Monza on Saturday; however, the Milan coach is expected to keep Alvaro Morata leading the attack on Tuesday. The Spanish striker, who first made his mark in Madrid a decade ago, continues to bring experience and a goal threat to Milan’s frontline.
Though Abraham has been cleared from the injury list, the Rossoneri remain without Alessandro Florenzi, Luka Jovic, and Mattia Gabbia. Additionally, their midfield dynamo Ismael Bennacer is once again sidelined due to an ankle issue.
Rafael Leao, showing promising flashes of his top form recently, is set to join Morata and Christian Pulisic in Milan’s forward line on Tuesday, enhancing their attacking options against Real Madrid.
Milan – Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper – Maignan
- Defenders – Royal, Thiaw, Tomori, Hernandez
- Midfielders – Loftus-Cheek, Fofana, Reijnders
- Forwards – Pulisic, Morata, Leao
Real Madrid vs Milan: Match Prediction
Milan have shown inconsistent form in the early days under Fonseca, yet with Real Madrid’s recent struggles, there’s always a glimmer of opportunity for any opponent.
Vinicius Jr. delivered a memorable hat-trick in their last Champions League match to rescue Madrid, but Ancelotti’s team was thoroughly outclassed by Barcelona in their most recent La Liga game. The unscheduled break over the weekend, due to a postponed fixture, should give Madrid a welcome boost, and they’re expected to look refreshed on Tuesday night.
Apart from their surprise win in the Derby della Madonnina, Milan have faltered against strong opposition this season. While Madrid may concede spells of control to Milan, the hosts’ attacking power is likely to be overwhelming for the Italian side.
Prediction – Real Madrid 3-1 Milan
Where and Where to Watch the Match? Streaming Details and Live Broadcast
The UEFA Champions League 2024-25 match between Real Madrid and Milan will be broadcast live in India on Sony Sports Network. The match is scheduled to Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 1:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Viewers in India can watch the match live from Santiago Bernabeu. Additionally, for those who prefer online streaming, the match will be available for live streaming on Sony LIV.
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Who’s likely to start in Real Madrid’s attack against Milan?
Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe are expected to lead the frontline, potentially joined by Rodrygo after his return from injury.
Is Tammy Abraham fit for Milan’s lineup on Tuesday?
While Tammy Abraham is back in the squad, manager Paulo Fonseca is likely to favor Alvaro Morata up front.
Which key players are missing for Real Madrid and Milan?
Real Madrid are without Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba, and Dani Carvajal. For Milan, Alessandro Florenzi, Luka Jovic, Mattia Gabbia, and Ismael Bennacer remain sidelined.
What’s the prediction for Real Madrid vs. Milan?
With their recent momentum and depth in attack, Real Madrid are tipped to secure a 3-1 victory over Milan.
