Champions League Semi-Final Review

Manchester United v AC Milan
To Be Played At Old Trafford, Tuesday April 24th, Kick-off 1945 BST

Over the years Man United and AC Milan have met a total of six times in European competition, United winning two and AC Milan the other four. However, Man Utd go into this next encounter with something of an injury crisis, the list is pretty long.

Utd only have four fit defenders left to take the field, these are Patrice Evra, Wes Brown, John O’Shea and Gabriel Heinze. On the sidelines are Rio Ferdinand, who aggravated a groin strain in the 1 - 1 all at home to Middlesbrough, Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic, Mikael Silvestre and Craig Cathcart.

The problems don’t stop there either. In midfield Utd are also missing Ji-Sung Park and Kieran Richardson and in front, Louis Saha is still out.

Sir Alex Ferguson has said, “We’re down to the bare bones. We are playing with 12 players.

“It’s not a time for feeling sorry for ourselves. It’s time to show what we are made of. It’s been well documented in the history of our football club that we do it the hard way anyway.

“We have to restore the players’ energies for Tuesday because it is a massive game for them and it’s a game they should enjoy.”

Look over to Ferguson’s rival, Carlo Ancelotti, and he has a virtual fully fit squad to chose from. Even the previously suspended striker Alberto Gilardino is available again. The only potential problem Ancelotti has is his goalkeeper Dida, who has is slight doubt over a shoulder injury. Ronaldo (the Brazilian version) is also unavailable as he is cup tied having already played for Real Madrid in the competition this season.

Even though Ancelotti was please with the news that Ferdinand was out he is, understandably, remaining cautious. He said, “Ferdinand is a very important player for their defence. But we will have to be careful and keep possession of the ball but that could be a two-edged sword, because if we do not do well our opponents could hit us on the counter-attack.” Utd certainly still have the players left to do that. Cristiano Ronaldo for one, who must be walking on air having won both the PFA Player and Young Player of The Year awards last night in London. AC Milan will be all too aware of what he is capable of.

Utd’s main worry will probably be Kaha. The Brazilian also has the talent to open up any team and turn a match in the blink of an eye and his match-up with Ronaldo is just one of many that make this semi-final such a mouthwatering prospect!

I think Milan will score at Old Trafford. Utd’s remaining back four are all good players but how many times will they have actually played together? Never mind played together in such a big game! Milan also have big game players all the way through the team who shouldn’t be phased by what will be a very noisy Old Trafford. There won’t be any repeat of the demolition of Roma. I just see Milan sneaking it back in Italy. Or is that the “kiss of death”? We’ll have to wait and see.

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Many thanks
Rik