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The big story for the EPL in the Champions League. Milan V Real Madrid?

Published by Ian John on November 3, 2009

No, I haven’t taken temporary leave of my senses and I will explain the leap of logic needed to understand the above, but tonight’s Champions League clashes, for the English sides at least, look relatively straightforward. Victory for Manchester United (at home to CSKA Moscow) and Chelsea (away to Atletico Madrid) will confirm their places in the knockout stages of the competition with relative ease. Some people are suggesting that both clubs may even rest key players for their respective games tonight, in readiness for their eagerly awaited Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge at the weekend.

It certainly wouldn’t be a surprise if that was the case. Both clubs have three games left to secure the three points they need for qualification, so victory tonight, while welcome, is not as vital as perhaps securing the right result at the weekend. Therefore the major story tonight for English teams probably comes elsewhere. In Milan to be exact.

At the San Siro tonight, the two most successful teams in the history of this competition face off just two weeks after Milan inflicted a damaging 3-2 loss on Real Madrid at the Bernebeu. If this clash between two of world football’s superpowers was not enough, then the news that Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrino may well be facing the sack should Real Madrid not get something from this game, certainly does add extra spice to the occasion.

Last week an under strength, but a team that still consisted of many top quality internatonal players, Real Madrid lost 4-0 in a Spanish Cup game to third division Alcorcon. That combined with the Milan defeat in the Champions League and a worrying loss of league form, has heaped the pressure on Pellegrini and this is where the story stats to move towards England. With Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez under fire and Madrid confirmed admirers, one wonders if Pellegrini’s side lose the game in Milan, and the manager loses his job, whether this may well see Real make a move for Benitez.

Sounds far fetched? Well, to add further intrigue to the story we stay in the city of Milan, where Roberto Mancini, former Inter manager, has now accepted terms over his severance deal from the club. This allows him to now manage clubs once again. Guess which EPL side Mancini has been linked with today? You guessed it, Liverpool. While this could be paper talk, lets remember that the papers reported that Hicks and Gillett were talking with Jurgen Klinsmann and so many people dismissed this as nonsense only for both Gillette and Hicks to confirm it at a later date. There’s no smoke without fire…

Add into that a few weeks back, Jose Mourinho being so moved by speculation that he felt the need to dismiss talk with him taking over at Liverpool and it makes you wonder.

Amongst all this, Liverpool’s injury woes and the fact that their season could well be over by Thursday morning seems a secondary affair!

So as much as I love the English game, I won’t be watching Chelsea or United tonight, I’ll be glued to events in the San Siro watching the two greatest teams in Champions League history face off, wondering about the repercussions the game may have for a certain team back home.

Image courtesy of ***Calcio Better *** at Flickr.com

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