Beckham Returns Home, Real Madrid Need Goals: It’s Champions League Wednesday!

By Dominic Vieira

Another Champions League match day on the agenda, two huge clashes between European giants. David Beckham will finally return to Old Trafford after 7 years and he will be hoping that AC Milan can get the needed victory against Manchester United. After a poor performance at Stade Gerland, Real Madrid is planning on thrashing Lyon at the Bernabeu. Both games will be played at the usual time; they guarantee quality football and goals!

Manchester United vs AC Milan (3-2 Aggregate)

Rooney’s return has certainly boosted United’s confidence for this match and is expected to start alongside Berbatov. Despite the return of their invaluable goal scorer, United have a few players sidelined for this encounter and will be without Brown, Giggs, Owen and Ryan Giggs; Michael Carrick is suspended after receiving two yellow cards at the San Siro. United are a highly experienced team in this competition and will certainly know how to deliver the needed result. Sir Alex Ferguson’s experience will be just as influential as always in this tight affair. The Red Devils will be fielding their strongest defence in this match, Ferdinand and Vidic must be fully focused and efficient; they can’t afford slip-ups like in the first leg. The atmosphere will be diabolical at Old Trafford and normally the team which plays the second leg at home has that advantage, so let’s wait and see.

This is an all or nothing situation for AC Milan and they may take some gambles. However, they will start with the same formation and approach they used in the first leg which I believe was a good one. Hopefully there will be more luck on their side this time. Clarence Seedorf and Pato have recovered in time for the match and travelled to Manchester. In the last game the Milan defence looked shaky and will have to step up a gear to ensure that the clinical United attack doesn’t punish them. Ronaldinho will be the star of Milan’s side, he destroyed Manchester United last game and if he has enough freedom on the pitch he can kill the game off for Leonardo’s men.

Manchester United (4-4-2): Van der Sar; Rafael, Ferdinand ©, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Fletcher, Scholes, Park; Rooney, Berbatov

AC Milan (4-3-3): Dida; Bonera, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Beckham, Ambrosini ©, Pirlo; Pato, Borriello, Ronaldinho

Prediction: Manchester United 2 – 2 AC Milan, two quality sides will be playing and both have the experience, intelligence, and quality to win the match. Both teams want to win, I can’t see United playing for a draw and the final result may be based by who gets lucky on their chances. There are many match winners on the pitch and any of them can make a goal out of nothing. A very close intense battle at Old Trafford, a match which must not be missed.

Real Madrid vs Lyon (0-1 Aggregate)

Real Madrid need to prove themselves in this competition, they are not having the most successful Champions League season thus far. The Bernabeu is the chosen venue for the final and Los Blancos are determined to win the Champions League. But first, they must outclass and beat Lyon. Real are entering this match with a brilliant 3-2 comeback against Sevilla still fresh in their minds and they are looking to continue this run of form. Last time Lyon showed they are not as weak as people think and will be seeking to once more surprise their opponent.

Real Madrid will be missing Marcelo and Xabi Alonso for the second leg as they are both suspended; they will be joined by the injured Pepe, Benzema and Drenthe on the list of ineligible players. Real are full of match winning players; Ronaldo, Kaká, Higuian, Raúl and Sergio Ramos will be constant threats for the French side to deal with. If Real dictate play, remain fully focused, and create chances, then Lyon will be up for a slaughtering. Real Madrid has many players who are highly experienced in this competition and they will certainly have a huge role in the match; it will not be a surprise if Raúl starts the game.

Lyon may be without Brazilian midfielder Michel Bastos, but they will still field a strong, hungry, physical side. It will be interesting if Ronaldo plays on the wing because he will be up against Cissokho. The last time they played against each other the left back kept Ronaldo quiet. Hugo Lloris must have a strong performance if Lyon stand a chance of making the next round, and he will need support and communication with the defence. Lyon will be seeking to control the game through their spine, Toulalan. If he is not marked well enough then he can set up Lisandro with deadly opportunities. The Argentine forward may not have had the luck in the first encounter, but he will be desperate to score in this match. Lyon will be desperate to win this one and will not sit back; nobody can afford to play defensive football at the historical Bernabeu.

Real Madrid (4-4-2): Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Albiol, Garay, Arbeloa; Ronaldo, Lassana Diarra, Kaka, Granero; Raul ©, Higuain

Prediction: Real Madrid 3 – 0 Lyon. I can’t see Lyon winning this one, unless they play the game of their lives. Madrid is playing at home and will be under intensive pressure to perform and win. They simply cannot lose! They have the experience and the world-class players to win this one, but they may complicate things for themselves, as they have done in the past. Nonetheless, Real Madrid know what they need to do and will deliver. But watch out for Lyon, it will still be a close battle.