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Pippo and Kaka - now on opposing teams...
The third stage of the Champions League is the double header, where teams know their opponents will be the same in the next two matches. It can quite often lead to some heated matches and incidents as comments and niggles made for the first match are still fresh in the mind for the return leg.
Not to imply that footballers have the memory of a goldfish but when teams play each other in quick succession, it is quite common to have flashpoints in the games. Due to the nature of the Champions League and the diversity of teams in this years competition, there may not be the same level of intensity to these matches as has been the case in previous years but there is no doubt which tie will be the one that stands out for all football fans.
Some Teams Stand Out From The Rest
In football history, there are many teams with a glorious past, a historic kit or the ability to transcend their local rivals and be instantly recognised all over the world.
Clubs like Barcelona, Manchester United, Boca Juniors or Celtic can all lay claim to these moments of distinction but when it comes to European Cup and Champions League history, two clubs stand proudly at the top of peoples memories and the ranked list of achievements. Yes, Real Madrid and AC Milan are the clubs who have won Europe's top sporting prize more than any other and it is these two games which will be the neutrals choice to watch.
Given the current state of AC Milan, badly stuttering under new coach Leonardo, it may not be the epic battles that football fans would hope for but there will be excitement, regardless of how the matches turn out.
The classic all white kit of Madrid and the timeless red and black stripes of AC Milan are known the world over and this is the sort of match that is played out every day on Fifa and PS console games all over the world.
Football fans who have never been to Spain or Italy, never got close to seeing their idols in the flesh are able to roll names of the great players who have graced either team and the current crop is not so bad either.
Admittedly, the summer spending of Real Madrid and the second coming of the galacticos probably means that there are more famous names plying their trade in the Santiago Bernabeu but make no mistake, both teams have match-winners on their side.
Inzaghi The Goal Machine
If you need a Champions League goal and you only have one man to select, who is it going to be?
Many would say there are plenty to players to select from this match with people like Ronaldo, Raul or Kaka all capable of conjuring up that one moment of magic to win a game. However, the striker with the true eye for goal, and seemingly nothing else, will be on the opposing side of this match. And if Iker Casillas drops his guard for one moment, his goal is likely to be breached.
Pippo Inzaghi seems to divide opinion amongst football fans and analysts but his record speaks for itself. Time after time after time, Inzaghi has popped up to put the ball home and send AC Milan to another victory. If the Rossoneri are to have any hope of turning around their poor start to the season and shocking the world by defeating Real Madrid, a lot of hope will be placed on the small striker.
Inzaghi doesn't care if people don't rate him neither will he lose sleep about being overlooked by defenders or commentators on the game as he can point to a long history of being the right man in the right place.
Can Kaka Make Milan Fans Cry Again?
Quite rightly, a lot of the focus will fall on how Kaka performs against his former club, the club he publicly pledged himself to back in January when Manchester City’s money came calling for the Brazilian. But the player who belongs to Jesus knows he will have a lot of back up around him should things get tricky. In fact, for all of the forward skills on display, the match may come down to the battle in the middle of the park between two players who have both played in Britain.
Rino Gattuso has been back in Italy for a long time since his formative years at Glasgow Rangers but Xavi Alonso has only been back on the continent since the summer but both men are integral to how their teams perform.
Pelligrino, the often overlooked Real Madrid coach may not have had too much to say about the attacking players brought into the club but you can guarantee that the signing from Liverpool was his call. Linking defence to attack, Alonso pulls the strings for Real much in the same way his performances constructed the platform for Gerrard and Torres to combine so well for the Anfield reds.
When so much of your hope relies on getting the ball to players up front and requiring them to do the business, the person who gets the ball to them is crucial. Make no mistake, Xavi Alonso is absolutely integral to the chances of Real Madrid success this season.
Gattuso Needs to Recover…And Quickly!
Which is why AC Milan really need Gattuso to offer up some sparkling performances in these two games. Gattuso’s season hasn’t really got started yet, the player seemingly suffering a hangover from his abysmal showing in the Milan derby.
Before half-time, Gattuso had given away a penalty and was then sent off as the Jose Mourinho led Inter demolished their neighbours and AC Milan have been off the pace ever since. With a new coach at the helm and an old team still in dire need of reconstruction, these are definitely trying times for AC Milan fans so anything from these two matches would provide a welcome lift.
Club owner Silvio Berlusconi has his hands full at the moment (and not in the way he usually has his hands full), so he may not be able to devote too much time to helping the club get back on track and challenging for the top honours again.
At the peak of their powers, these matches would be amongst the most eagerly awaited match-ups of all time but in 2009, they may not live up to that billing. That will take nothing away from the excitement surrounding these matches and even if some of the greatest players in the world can live up to their billing then there is likely to be moments of magic….and maybe a poached strike from two yards from Inzaghi!
by Andrew Reilly
for The Silver Circle at www.footballtip.co.uk
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Dear Greg,
I've been a member since July 2003, maybe one of the first to join the Silver Circle.
2004 was a good year but I really enjoyed the long run we had in, I think, July 2005. It was exhilarating! 2006-2007 was not as exciting although still quite profitable and so far 2007-2008 looks quite good. I'm wondering if we're going to hit a long one again soon. Anyway, it's been a pleasure as always with your service, Greg. Armstrong and you are one of the few people I trust on the internet. You have made my retirement so much more fun and financially happy!
Best Wishes, Trent Wrayford, Sidney
