What: Champions League Round of 16
Who: AC Milan vs Arsenal
When: Wednesday 15th February, 2012, at 19:45 UK Time
Where: San Siro, Milan, Italy
Wary of Arsenal Pace
The Rossoneri have endured a difficult period of late, though there are signs that they may have emerged from this troubled run by beating Udinese at the Stadio Friuli on Saturday.
Milan began the season as clear favourites to retain their Serie A title but, in 2012, lost the derby against Inter and were then beaten by Lazio in the Stadio Olimpico in Roma. These blows were compounded by a further defeat just last week, as Juventus won the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final between the two.
Coach Massimiliano Allegri is having to manage an injury crisis, but even so, his team have often looked tired and failed to convince. The boss from Livorno likes to employ a 4-3-1-2 system, but it is hard to operate in this manner without the likes of Kevin-Prince Boateng, Gennaro Gattuso, Mathieu Flamini, Alberto Aquilani, Alexander Merkel and Rodney Strasser. Allegri tried to play Dutch winger Urby Emanuelson and Clarence Seedorf as trequartistas, but each did not exhibit the required movement and the unpredictability assured by Boateng.
Up front, Alexandre Pato is injured and Carlos Tevez did not arrive last month despite a long courtship. Milan’s board bought another Argentinian instead, swooping for Maxi Lopez from Catania, but the former Barcelona star is not a player in the mould of Tevez.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will start here as centre forward, with Robinho for company. The Swedish international has been a decisive performer in Serie A, though in Europe the credibility of a world-class player has eluded him. Milan have targeted reaching at least the semi-final of the Champions League this season – but that will not be easy.
Recovered Threat
The Gunners began the campaign almost in slow motion, with the real wake-up call coming in the form of an 8-2 drubbing at Manchester United. Now however, Arsene Wenger’s men have been transformed and from certain Champions League place dropouts, are now fighting for a spot in the Premier League’s top four.
Wenger’s boys have all the characteristics to put Milan in trouble. Arsenal can play a fast passing game, with real pace on the flanks, where the Rossoneri are vulnerable, as clearly shown in the side’s recent Coppa Italia clash against Juventus.
Arsenal will no doubt head to the San Siro in search of a result which could go most of the way towards settling the tie, courtesy of away goals. The speed of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the wings may be crucial here, while Robin van Persie should provide a stern test for experienced defenders Alessandro Nesta and Thiago Silva.
Milan though will look to exploit a backline considered weak in Italy. With Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Emanuelson all bombing forward, Arsenal’s defenders may struggle to find a point of reference in the Rossoneri frontline. Laurent Koscielny has been – and Per Mertesacker was before injury – targeted as a possible “weak link” when facing the “giant” Ibrahimovic.
Recent form
AC Milan:
AC Milan 0-0 Napoli 0-0 (05/02; Serie A)
AC Milan 1-2 Juventus (08/02; Coppa Italia)
Udinese 1-2 AC Milan (11/02; Serie A)
Arsenal:
Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Arsenal (01/02; Premier League)
Arsenal 7- 1 Blackburn Rovers (04/02; Premier League)
Sunderland 1-2 Arsenal (11/02; Premier League)
Key absences:
AC Milan: Mathieu Flamini; Gennaro Gattuso; Antonio Cassano; Mario Yepes; Alberto Aquilani; Kevin-Prince Boateng (doubt); Alexandre Pato (doubt)
Arsenal: Jack Wilshere; Gervinho (international duty); Per Mertesacker; Andre Santos; Carl Jenkinson
Players to watch
AC Milan – Zlatan Ibrahimovic: The Swedish international shone in the first half of the season and has notched 15 goals in Serie A so far. Then, Ibrahimovic underperformed against Inter in the derby and was sent off in the recent clash against Napoli for slapping centre back Salvatore Aronica in the face. In the Coppa Italia, he had further trouble with the Juventus goalkeeper and appears a little uneasy. Ibrahimovic represents 90% of Milan’s attack and, currently being suspended from Serie A action, will no doubt give his all against the Gunners.
Arsenal – Robin van Persie: The Dutchman has always been a fine player, but 2011 was the year Van Persie stepped up to become one of the finest goalscorers in world football. A leader for the Gunners, able to shoot well with both left and right, and no slouch in the air, Van Persie is quite different from Thierry Henry, who returned to the Emirates for a short loan spell this winter. Indeed, Van Persie looks more complete than the Frenchman and could decide the tie.
Match Prediction
The last time these two met was in 2008, at the same stage of the Champions League. Then Arsenal drew at home, but won in Milan, thanks to strikes from Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor. This year the Rossoneri will find the going equally tough, as the side suffer against good passing teams like Arsenal. Milan know there is a real need to attack here, especially with Ibrahimovic and Robinho able to put real pressure on the Arsenal back four. A draw here looks more than an option. AC Milan 1-1 Arsenal.
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