Sergio Ramos/Pepe vs Ronaldinho/Pato'Ronnie' has fond memories of the Santiago Bernabeu. One of his most treasured footballing experiences during his time at Barcelona was to receive a standing ovation from the Madridistas when he single-handedly led the Blaugrana to victory over their eternal enemies back in November 2005. If he ever needed a flash of inspiration to reignite his form and his career, there’s hardly a better place to visit than the white half of the Spanish capital.
One of the players in the Merengue side who was tormented by Ronaldinho’s brilliance on that fateful night was Sergio Ramos. But while the ex-Barca hero has gone on a downward spiral at Milan, the effervescent Madrid right-back has gone from strength to strength, blossoming into one of the best defenders in the world today. His main aim will be to make amends for that November nightmare and ensure 'Gaucho' is not afforded another bravo applause.
While Sergio has his hands full with ‘Dinho, Pepe will have to deal with the Rossoneri’s young firecracker, Pato. The 20-year-old hasn’t exactly exploded into life yet this season in Serie A, but Madrid’s Portuguese defender will have to be extremely alert not to let ‘The Duck’ get away from his sights.
Lassana Diarra vs Clarence SeedorfTwo extremely pivotal players, whose main job is to keep their respective teams ticking like clockwork. While Lass links Madrid’s back line to the attacking midfielders, Seedorf is the bridge between Milan’s midfielders and the forward line.
The Milan veteran still has a remarkable burst of speed in those aging legs of his. But Lass’s job will be to make sure that the ball doesn’t reach him at all, rather than spend the evening chasing after the Dutchman. If the 33-year-old Seedorf can be kept quiet without seeing much of the ball, the 24-year-old Frenchman can better utilise his energy to sneak forward and help out in attack. If Il Diavolo do choose to go ultra-defensive, the ‘Men in White’ will need all the help they can get to penetrate the rearguard.
But make no mistakes... Seedorf is still extremely crafty and he will not hesitate to exploit open spaces. And the Bernabeu faithful will know all about his shooting abilities, having seen him score his fair share of humdingers during his time as a Blanco.
Xabi Alonso vs Andrea PirloThis showdown between two world class deep-lying playmakers, two otherworldly passers of the ball, is the real key battle that will ultimately tip the balance of this contest.
Xabi has yet to truly stamp his mark on this Madrid side, who are still in the process of integration. But the one chief characteristics that he has consistently demonstrated is his ability to spray the ball around the pitch with consummate ease, dictating the direction of his team’s attack.
Pirlo’s genius, meanwhile, has long been overshadowed by Kaka and with the Samba star now gone, the Italian international has been gifted a chance to really shine. But so far, the 30-year-old hasn’t quite been able to anchor the midfield the way he had hoped to. But such is the prodigious talent that these two players possess, they can go from mediocre to match-winner in a blink of an eye.
Whoever reigns supreme, not just in delivering their defence-splitting passes, but also in winning balls in the centre of the park, will lead their side to glory. Keep an eye out for some set-piece wizardry, too.
Kaka vs Massimo AmbrosiniThe two midfielders have spent the last six years training and working closely together at Milanello. But on Wednesday evening in Madrid, they will be nothing less than rivals as they put friendship aside to try and overcome each other.
You would think that the Rossoneri captain will know every trick and secret about the Brazilian to stop him in his tracks. But the same applies the other way around, as 'Ricky' will summon all his knowledge, not just about his direct opponent, but also on the entire Milan midfield line and defence to create havoc.
Kaka, like Xabi, has yet to fully click into gear and it may be a while yet before he starts replicating the kind of dazzling form that led Milan to Champions League glory in 2007. But like Ronaldinho, if there’s a time and place for the €67 million man, who picked up the MARCA Leyenda award overnight, to kick-start his ‘Casa Blanca’ career, it is on Wednesday night against his former club. Ambrosini, who will have to do extra dirty work with Gennaro Gattuso absent, could be in for a long night.
Raul/Gonzalo Higuain vs Alessandro Nesta/Thiago SilvaA fascinating face-off as one master and his apprentice takes on another similar pair. Raul, the most lethal striker in the Champions League – statistically at least – will face a stern test as he attempts to score his 66th goal in Europe’s blue ribbon club competition in a game that will mark his 712th official appearance in the famous white shirt, a tally that will equal the current record, which is held by Manolo Sanchis.
Standing in his way trying to gatecrash the party will be Nesta, the 33-year-old once regarded as one of the best defenders in the world until a chronic back injury almost forced him into retirement. Neither are fast, flashy or the hard-hitting action men today’s modern game seems to have produced, but they rely instead on their vast experience and wisdom in reading the match. This is clearly a battle of the wits.
Their apprentices, meanwhile, are versatile, exciting and promising talents. Higuain has been utilised as a lone striker, a winger and as a support forward, while Thiago Silva has gone from a right winger to a full-back to a centre-back. Expect to see these two to be the livelier of the pair, buzzing and roaming all over the field.
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Real Madrid Fan Club, Los Blancos, Los Merengues, Los Galacticos
