Champions League
2009-09-15 - O. Marseille vs AC Milan
A Sports Betting Pick by Shady
Football: Europe, UEFA Champions League 2009/2010
Tuesday, 15th September 2009 - Kickoff 19:45
Marseille will welcome AC Milan in matchday 1 of UEFA Champions League and this is the first time both these sides met since 1993.
AC MIlan (Italy)
Milan will return to Champions League football after a year absent and former Brazilian international Leonardo has replaced Carlo Ancelotti as coach.
Milan were disappointed at the weekend after only managing a draw against Liverno. A fortnight ago, AC Milan was hammered by City rivals Inter Milan 4-0 at the San Siro and confidence don’t seem to be strong at all.
Since the departure of Kaka to Real Madrid, Ronaldinho have now taken up the role which Kaka used to play in, the attacking midfield role.
Zambrotta, Kaladze, Pirlo and Inzaghi was on the bench on the weekend game against Liverno. They only featured for the last half an hour of the game and should be fresh for this game as well as Ronaldinho and Huntelaar who were all brought off early in the second half.
Pato and Klass-Jan Huntelaar both started up front at the weekend and was rather ineffective therefore I expect Leonardo to recall veteran Filippo Inzaghi to partner Pato up front.
Alessandro Nesta and Kaladze should start in central defense accompanied by Marek Jankulovski and Gianluca Zambrotta protecting Marco Storari in goal. In midfield, Gatusso who was suspended at the weekend should be recalled into the midfield to play alongside Pirlo, Seedorf and Ronaldinho.
Looking at this lineup, Leonardo is likely to form a 4-4-2 diamond heart formation and the main threat is likely to come from Ronaldinho and the pace of Pato. With Seedorf twilight of his career, I can’t see him running the channels as he used to.
O. Marseille (France)
Marseille manager Didier Deschamps captained France to glory in the World Cup Final and European Champions. Having won the UEFA Champions League as a player with Marseille, he would love to win it again this time as a manager but chances seem slim after being paired up with Real Madrid and Ac Milan.
Deschamps who was previously with Juventus for a season in second division would know all about Italian football. However Deschamps will have a little more experience as a manager compared to Leonardo as Deschamps has spend his past few years coaching Monaco, Juventus and now Marseille.
Mandanda will start in goal for Deschamps side protected by Hilton, Diawaram, Taiwo and Rodrigues. Summer signing Lucho Gonzalez made his debut at the weekend as an attacking midfield but is likely to move into a deeper role as Hatem Ben Arfa should be recalled into the squad accompanied by Cheyrou and Abriel in midfield. Mamadou Niang and Brandao are most likely to lead the line up front.
Key Players :
Key players to watch out for Milan would definitely be Ronaldinho. The former world player of the year might not be as good as he used to but there is no doubt that he capable in scoring a goal or assisting a teammate.
Mamadou Niang has been Marseille’s top score for the past few seasons and should be watched closely as he might cause this Milan defense some problem.
THe Betting Verdict :
I have to say, the bookmakers are probably giving the wrong odds for this game. Marseille have got a decent squad this season but I'm not too certain about them giving up -0.25 on the asian handicap line.
With Marseille lacking experience in the Champions League compared to Milan, I do fancy Milan’s chances.
The Statistics :
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FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
Milan to win at a decent price of approx 3.00 (side bet)
