Soccer Extreme : AC Milan vs Real Madrid Kick Off Time 20:45 CET 19:45 UK - Stadio Giuseppe Meazza - Milan, Massimiliano Allegri launched a staunch defence of his AC Milan side ahead of their home tie against Real Madrid CF, following losses to the Spanish team on Matchday 3 and Juventus on Saturday. Milan trail section leaders Madrid by five points and for José Mourinho, it is his first game back in the city since leaving FC Internazionale Milano in the summer as he looks to secure Los Merengues' first win at San Siro and wrap up qualification from Group G.Massimiliano Allegri, Milan coach
José Mourinho, Madrid coach
I don't have to talk about the way Milan should play. We are ready should they play 4-4-2, 4-3-3 or a mixture. When a top team loses, they rarely lose two in a row so I think they will be stronger than Saturday. They will be more focused, and there's more pressure on them, but not that much as this game is not decisive. We're doing well now and want to continue that here. To play against Milan in San Siro is something everybody wants to do.
I felt the warmth of the Inter supporters today, but now I want to focus on the game. I'd like to meet Inter with Madrid so I can thank them for all they did for me. Despite the rivalry, there was respect between me and Milan. We are growing as a team. I have always said that it's my second season at a club that everything works almost perfectly, but this doesn't mean we're not going to try to do well now.
The fact that Madrid have never won at San Siro depends on the pressure they felt I think. Madrid always had good teams but never won here. It's because it's difficult: simple as that. But I'm sure that Milan are worried.
We are a strong team. We lost against Juventus but they scored two lucky goals. Milan played very well on Saturday and did not deserve to lose. It was the same thing against Real Madrid two weeks ago. Sometimes football tells lies: we conceded two unlucky goals [against Juventus], made two mistakes and paid for them both. We took 23 shots and only scored once, despite creating many clear chances. We have good qualities and have to play as a team. Milan are not, and will never be, a team that lines all the players up in front of our box to defend.
We lost an important game in the league, but we had won the previous four. It's OK to emphasis the fact when a team like Milan lose, and of course we can improve on many things, but there are also many positive signs that make me optimistic. This is a strong group of players, playing at a good level, so we have everything needed to win. We have to keep Real Madrid under pressure – we can't repeat the technical mistakes we made in the first leg.
We lost an important game in the league, but we had won the previous four. It's OK to emphasis the fact when a team like Milan lose, and of course we can improve on many things, but there are also many positive signs that make me optimistic. This is a strong group of players, playing at a good level, so we have everything needed to win. We have to keep Real Madrid under pressure – we can't repeat the technical mistakes we made in the first leg.
José Mourinho, Madrid coach
I don't have to talk about the way Milan should play. We are ready should they play 4-4-2, 4-3-3 or a mixture. When a top team loses, they rarely lose two in a row so I think they will be stronger than Saturday. They will be more focused, and there's more pressure on them, but not that much as this game is not decisive. We're doing well now and want to continue that here. To play against Milan in San Siro is something everybody wants to do.
I felt the warmth of the Inter supporters today, but now I want to focus on the game. I'd like to meet Inter with Madrid so I can thank them for all they did for me. Despite the rivalry, there was respect between me and Milan. We are growing as a team. I have always said that it's my second season at a club that everything works almost perfectly, but this doesn't mean we're not going to try to do well now.
The fact that Madrid have never won at San Siro depends on the pressure they felt I think. Madrid always had good teams but never won here. It's because it's difficult: simple as that. But I'm sure that Milan are worried.
Players to watch
AC Milan – Zlatan Ibrahimovic: The Swede appears to be Milan’s only leading light at present, turning in solid performances no matter who the opposition. Ibrahimovic scored his team’s lone goal against Juventus at the weekend and before that hit the back of the net at Napoli; after a frustrating meeting against Real Madrid a fortnight ago, he will be looking to make his presence felt.
Real Madrid – Angel di Maria: Slowly but steadily, Di Maria is turning out to be Real Madrid’s best acquisition of the summer. The fast Argentinean has provided a deadly opposite outlet to Cristiano Ronaldo’s flank, and led the comeback against Hercules when hope was beginning to slip away from his team. Against Milan, Mourinho will once again look to Di Maria as a potent attacking weapon.
Match prediction
The trip to Alicante over the weekend has greatly helped Real Madrid, with the team showing their ability to come back from behind and working well under pressure. Milan’s loss against Juventus was a major blow, especially coming as it did on home turf. It would take something special from the Rossoneri to claim all three points. Expect Los Blancos to win with a 2-1 final score.