Italians bank on Zlatan Ibrahimovic to conjure his magic AC Milan’s chief executive Adriano Galliani could barely contain himself at the weekend when familiar virtuosity from Zlatan Ibrahimovic conjured a win from behind against Roma. He started with “special!”, moved on to “fantastic!” and ended with “extraordinary!”.
Like the rest of the footballing world, Milan may now acknowledge Lionel Messi
to be the game’s best but around the San Siro, they will give you a good
argument that their mad, marvellous Zlatan is number two.
Today, Wednesday night, when the Swede goes head to head — make that head to shoulder - with the little Barcelona genius in their Champions league quarter-final first leg in Milan, the Rossoneri faithful trust it will be his stage to demonstrate his own unique brilliance.
Today, Wednesday night, when the Swede goes head to head — make that head to shoulder - with the little Barcelona genius in their Champions league quarter-final first leg in Milan, the Rossoneri faithful trust it will be his stage to demonstrate his own unique brilliance.
“Messi is a step ahead of everybody else, then there is Ibra and, third,
Cristiano Ronaldo,” trumpeted Milan keeper, Christian Abbiati, after
watching Ibrahimovic score his 26th and 27th goals of the season to steer
Milan from one-nil down to a second-half victory over Roma, which keeps the
Italian champions four points clear at the top of Serie A. “He is a champion
and we all hope this will be his game.” You would imagine it will have to
be. Barcelona, the holders, have looked imperious en route to the last
eight, having beaten Milan in the San Siro during the group stages. Messi
has been playing like a god, netting 18 goals in only his past nine games
for club and country, including one five-goal haul, one four-goal and a
hat-trick.
There is a reason for AC Milan supporters to look at their Champions league tie with Barcelona and think that it might have a happy outcome.
After all, the last time Barcelona lost a Champions League knockout match, it happened against a team from Milan. That was Inter of course, two years ago, when Jose Mourinho was busy taking the Italian side to a finals victory over Bayern Munich.
It might be a stretch, however, to believe that history will repeat when the reigning European champions take on the Serie A leaders, in a match that starts with the first leg in the San Siro. As good as Milan’s been in their domestic league this season, the ability of their injury-hit, veteran side to deal with Barcelona's passing game has to be a major concern.
The defending champs will start clear favorites in this marquee clash of giants: they have the world's best player at the head of their attack, a midfield of incomparable skills and a Champions League mentality which has seen them impose their game on all types of opponents.
Why should Barcelona prevail?
Lionel Messi has already put together an entire career at the age of 24. He's Barcelona’s all-time scoring leader and seems to get better with every match. He's the main reason why his side has been beaten only once in the Champions League since that semifinal loss to Inter Milan in 2010. He’s also the man responsible for 30 of the 60 goals they've scored in their last 25 European games.
Milan, in contrast, have managed to reach this stage of the competition despite prevailing in just four of their last 15 Champions League contests. Their quarterfinal victory over Arsenal was as remarkable for its 4-0 first leg win in the San Siro, as it was for their tight-rope escape act while losing the return contest 3-0 at Emirates Stadium.
Tonight is the final match of this season Champions League, do i say the final match? Yes ths is the final before the final watch all the action Live
There is a reason for AC Milan supporters to look at their Champions league tie with Barcelona and think that it might have a happy outcome.
After all, the last time Barcelona lost a Champions League knockout match, it happened against a team from Milan. That was Inter of course, two years ago, when Jose Mourinho was busy taking the Italian side to a finals victory over Bayern Munich.
It might be a stretch, however, to believe that history will repeat when the reigning European champions take on the Serie A leaders, in a match that starts with the first leg in the San Siro. As good as Milan’s been in their domestic league this season, the ability of their injury-hit, veteran side to deal with Barcelona's passing game has to be a major concern.
The defending champs will start clear favorites in this marquee clash of giants: they have the world's best player at the head of their attack, a midfield of incomparable skills and a Champions League mentality which has seen them impose their game on all types of opponents.
Why should Barcelona prevail?
Lionel Messi has already put together an entire career at the age of 24. He's Barcelona’s all-time scoring leader and seems to get better with every match. He's the main reason why his side has been beaten only once in the Champions League since that semifinal loss to Inter Milan in 2010. He’s also the man responsible for 30 of the 60 goals they've scored in their last 25 European games.
Milan, in contrast, have managed to reach this stage of the competition despite prevailing in just four of their last 15 Champions League contests. Their quarterfinal victory over Arsenal was as remarkable for its 4-0 first leg win in the San Siro, as it was for their tight-rope escape act while losing the return contest 3-0 at Emirates Stadium.
Tonight is the final match of this season Champions League, do i say the final match? Yes ths is the final before the final watch all the action Live
