Milan vs. Real Madrid: A Daunting Task for Under-Fire Rossoneri

Normally, a match between Real Madrid and Milan will be anticipated with great excitement by both sets of fans. The two clubs are the most successful clubs in Europe and traditionally between them they have shared some of the best players to ever grace the beautiful game.

Contests between these two clubs are usually an exhibition of some of the finest football and makes for intriguing viewing and generally tight encounters.

However, the way Mourinho’s Real Madrid completely dismantled the Rossoneri in Spain just two weeks ago might suggest that tomorrow night’s match may not be the intriguing and tight encounter we can usually expect from a game between these two sides.

In fact, Milan fans will be waiting with abated breath as kick-off time approaches. Max Allegri’s Milan have been very poor of late. The loss in Madrid was not only humiliating but it highlighted a number of issues that have existed within the current Milan squad for some time.

The win over Napoli barely papered over the cracks as Milan’s performance at the San Paolo was anything but convincing. Against Juventus last weekend, the Rossoneri’s many weaknesses were once again exploited by a Juventus side missing two key players as the Old Lady left the San Siro with a deserved three points.

The prospect of Jose Mourinho returning to the San Siro with his star-studded Los Blancos will be a frightening prospect for Milan.

This season’s Real Madrid is a strong outfit and they have made it known in remarkable fashion. They have scored an incredible 19 goals in just their last four La Liga games collecting five consecutive wins along the way. Cristiano Ronaldo is in mesmerising form. But the most daunting factor is, of course, Jose Mourinho.

Last season with Inter, Mourinho engineered two devastating derby losses on the Rossoneri. With his current Real squad, Mourinho possesses a squad of equal if not greater ability and therefore there is every chance that another shattering loss will be inflicted on Milan tomorrow night.

With Max Allegri having failed to prove, thus far, that he has what it takes to coach a top European club, there seems little hope the young Milan tactician will be able to out-wit the mastery of Jose Mourinho.

Not only does Allegri have to contend with the Jose Mourinho factor, but he also has a number of important decisions to make regarding selection and tactics.

Tactically, Milan have been all over the place this season. Starting off with a 4-3-3 in the first few rounds of the season, Allegri has recently reverted to a 4-3-1-2. But, no matter the system that Allegri has tried to implement, not one has really worked to great effect.

Then there is the omnipresent problem of personnel, or lack of it. Allegri does not have a great squad. Sure, there exists some great talent in the squad, like Ibrahimovic, Nesta, Robinho and Pato. However, in midfield and defence Allegri’s options are very limited.

Furthermore, not all of Milan’s star players are playing like stars at the moment. Pato in particular has been off-form of late. Andrea Pirlo is having a largely inconsistent season and Ronaldinho, well, he simply does not care enough, anymore.

Exactly what personnel and tactics Allegri should employ tomorrow night is unclear. Perhaps, the best option for Milan is to play a true "Italian" game.

Pack the midfield and defence and try to stifle Real Madrid by the presence of sheer numbers. Then, using the pace of Robinho or Pato, with Ibrahimovic leading the line, Allegri can hope his side sneak a goal in on the break.

It definitely would not be the most dignified approach for Milan to take. But perhaps it's their best chance.