We ask ourselves 5 big questions ahead of this European fixture and by what else would we start but something around the "Special One", Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho?
1) Can Jose Mourinho Continue His Perfect Record Against AC Milan?
When Jose Mourinho first played against AC Milan as the head coach of rivals Inter, the result wasn’t the best; Ronaldinho’s lone goal left “Mou” with a lot to think about. However, his next three matches against the Rossoneri explained that the “Special One” had understood his lessons.
Inter Milan went on to defeat AC Milan 2-1, 4-0, and 2-0 before Jose Mourinho left the San Siro for the Santiago Bernabeu earlier this year. In fact, his experience and touch against the Rossoneri have let Real Madrid fans expect great things to happen in the Spanish capital tonight. It’s left for us all to see if Mourinho can maintain his run of three consecutive victories against AC Milan…
2) What Will The Ibrahimovic Factor Create?
Football fans in Spain didn’t see the Ibrahimovic that fans in Italy saw, but on his return to the Iberian country, the Swede could do what the Catalans wanted to witness: a dangerous striker, a goal poacher, a match redeemer, an exceptional player, a complete hero.
The ex-Inter Milan star and Barcelona flop scored against Real Madrid last year as the Blaugrana recorded a vital victory in El Clasico at the Camp Nou. Ibrahimovic could similarly inspire AC Milan against Los Blancos on Tuesday night, and his former manager at Internazionale is aware of his potential.
“We will play against a team, not against one player. But, with Ibrahimovic, it’s different. I know him, and in Italy, they know him too,” Jose Mourinho told reporters during a press conference ahead of the Real Madrid vs AC Milan match.
But just as much as Ibrahimovic could use Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League clash to prove his passion for AC Milan and his worth to all viewers, the fact that ex-Inter Milan boss Mourinho is now at Real Madrid could twist things for the Rossoneri. What will the Ibrahimovic factor indeed create at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night?
3) Can Cristiano Ronaldo Finally Make An Impact Against AC Milan?
The first time Cristiano Ronaldo faced AC Milan in a competitive fixture in his career was five years ago on February 23. The then-youngster played 63 minutes of football at Old Trafford before coming off for Nistelrooy only to see Argentina’s Crespo clinch the only goal of the game 12 minutes from time. The second leg at the San Siro was crucial, but the Italian giants were keen to maintain their remarkable record against English teams in Europe.
Hernan Crespo repeated his trick as AC Milan rounded up a 2-0 aggregate win against Cristiano Ronaldo’s former side, Manchester United. The Portuguese winger had to endure the disappointment of missing out on the quarter-finals of the 2004-2005 UEFA Champions League. Two years later, Cristiano Ronaldo and the Red Devils had another chance to correct their mistakes against the Rossoneri, but they failed to do so.
In the first leg of the tie, Cristiano Ronaldo’s early goal seemed to have given United the perfect start. But Kaka – who eventually beat Ronaldo to claim a clean sweep of individual major titles that same year – had other ideas. The Brazilian’s brace at Old Trafford and deadlock breaker at the San Siro were enough for AC Milan to slap Ronaldo and his mates with a 5-3 aggregate defeat. The Rossoneri’s unbelievable 3-0 triumph over the Mancunians in May 2007 actually proved to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last game against Carlo Ancelotti’s former club.
The Portuguese winger had to miss Real Madrid’s Champions League matches against AC Milan last season as he was sidelined with an ankle injury. Now after showing good signs in terms of performance lately – both for club and country – can Cristiano Ronaldo finally make a positive impact against the Rossoneri?
4) Will Real Madrid Be Haunted By Robinho?
He said he will not play for revenge, but his desire to win Tuesday’s Champions League match for AC Milan is still very much alive… and Real Madrid perhaps need to be wary about Robinho’s threat. The Brazilian playmaker, who scored his first competitive goal for AC Milan last weekend, will also be looking to avoid making bench starts under Coach Massimiliano Allegri. An inspirational performance against his former club, Real Madrid, could help him to integrate better in Allegri’s plans.
5) What Impact Will Referee Pedro Proença Have On The Match?
This is a man who can punish his fellow countryman in public at the delight of those who hate Jose Mourinho’s behavior during matches. We’re talking about Portuguese referee Pedro Proença who has flashed the red card to “Mou” as much as three times in his career. The Real Madrid vs AC Milan match promises to be tense and anything negative could happen “in the heat of the moment”.
With Pedro Proença having been appointed to officiate Tuesday’s Champions League clash at the Santiago Bernabeu, prospects that Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid could be badly affected are alive. But the “Special One” is believed to have no concerns judging from what he said during a press conference:
“On my part [despite Pedro Proença’s presence], it will be the same [the match won’t change because of this referee].”
Well, Jose Mourinho may not pick up yet another red card from Pedro Proença but what about his players? Will “diver” Cristiano Ronaldo and co. remain safe?
