By AbdulRaheem Aodu with agency report
There would be rumble at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in the Spanish capital city of Madrid tonight when two of UEFA Champions League’s most titled clubs clash for a split of the honours in Group G.
Real Madrid FC welcome visiting AC Milan FC of Italy to their illustrious home in an encounter that features two of the most decorated clubs in the almost 50 years history of world’s most prestigious club trophy, with both sides seeking superiority in the group.
Fans and neutrals alike are in for an exciting as the European Champion Cup’s most decorated sides face-off in the top billing clash for the top position in the group with Real Madrid looking to continue their perfect start in the group.
Five months after leading Inter Milan FC to their third European crown at the Santiago Bernabéu, new Madrid Coach José Mourinho comes up against old Milanese rivals having already guided his side to victories over Ajax FC and AJ Auxerre FC in Madrid and France respectively.
The Rossoneri, who have seven continental crowns to Madrid’s nine, will take confidence from a 3-2 triumph in the corresponding fixture last season. But that was before the advent of Mourinho and the new players he brought to rejuvenate the team including midfield star, Mezuit Oezil, who contributed two goals to Madrid’s 4-1 haul against Malaga at the weekend, Angel di Maria and Sami Khedira amongst others.
Following the rejuvenation which is currently pervading the Madiristas’ home after six years without venturing beyond the group stages of the Champions League, Madrid are one of eight teams yet to drop a point and they will look to protect that record against a Milan side not shorn of stars.
Milan will come to town with a glut of stars with different scenarios running through their mind. Robinho will be making a return to the club that brought him to Europe from Brazil, while Ronaldinho, will be hoping to re-enact his brilliant performance of few years back when he scored a hat-trick in the el Clasico in the colours of Barcelona.
Another former Barcelona player, Zlatan Ibrahimovic will also want to pile misery on the arch rival of his former team, while Alexander Pato will look to ensure the success of team in the coveted trophy. Clarence Seedorf was also a former Madirista, who will be making a return ‘home’.
In the other Group G tie, former champions, Ajax FC hosts French side, Auxerre FC. Coach Martin Jol will be looking to rekindle the glory days of the 1995 champions beginning with the visit of the French club.
Moscow is also another venue of crucial battle for two perfect records as Group F pacesetters, Spartak Moscow FC host Chelsea FC complete with Mikel Obi. The London outfit are returning to the Luzhniki Stadium for the first time since losing the 2008 final to Manchester United FC and they will look to avoid two successive poor record at the same ground as they attempt to return back to England with a result from the tie.
Spartak Moscow will however be without influential playmaker Alex who is out for two weeks after suffering a thigh injury in last Friday’s Russian League victory against Alania Vladikavkaz FC. The Brazilian midfielder tore a muscle in his right thigh and is set to be out for the crucial home match against the group’s top contender.
In the other Group F encounter Taiye Taiwo’s Olympique Marseille welcome the surprise team of the group, Zilina FC to the Paris Velodrome. Marseille has not been on top of things but will look to commence a renaissance tonight against their fellow down-table team.
The frontrunners also face off in Group H where Arsenal FC, the competition’s nine-goal top scorers, welcome a Shakhtar Donetsk FC side yet to concede a goal, let alone drop a point to the Emirates Stadium. Shaktar’s Croatian striker, Eduardo will also make an emotional return to a team he left only three months ago following a 6million pounds transfer in July. 
Arsenal would also welcome back team captain Cesc Fabregas who has returned to training ahead of the tie after injuring his hamstring in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at Sunderland on September 18.
With the return of the 23-year-old midfield grafter, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be out for three wins from three matches, with his side topping the European table thereby ensuring one leg into the second group stage ahead of crucial domestic league engagements.
Shaktar, who are also called little Arsenal in Ukraine under the guidance of veteran Romanian coach, Mircea Lucescu plays slick passing game just like their hosts of tonight’s game and this has helped them stand apart from the rest teams in their domestic league where they currently lead the group including arch rival Dynamo Kiev with five points after 13 matches.
With five Brazilians in the team and other clever players, the 2009 UEFA Cup winners promise a torrid time for an Arsenal team that has found scoring a bit difficult despite avalanche of ball possessions.
But with the expected return of Theo Walcott, the return of Nicklas Bendtner at the weekend and Fabregas pulling the string in the middle of the park, the Gunners might just be able to continue with a winning run in their season and in the Champions League having successfully stopped a losing streak at the weekend with victory over Birmingham City in the Premier League.
Though the absence of Bacary Sagnal, Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Kolscieny in the Gunners’ defence may provide a route for the Shaktar’s nifty forwards to make inroad and do the damage, but they must also be on the lookout for Arsenal’s fast and strong attack, that can cut into any defence in the world on their good days.
The game promised to be an exciting one for fans and neutrals alike as two of Europe’s exciting teams with liking for placing the ball on the ground clash in the crucial tie for the summit of Group H.
In the other game of the group, Partizan Belgrade FC entertain SC Braga of Portugal with both clubs chasing their first points. Braga are one of six newcomers to the UEFA Champions League proper.
German giants, Bayern Munich hosts CFR Cluj of Romania in Group E. Following the injury induced absence of Miroslav Klose and Arjen Robben, the Bavarians will look to Mario Gomez for goals to sink the unfashionable side in the crucial tie which may decide the leader of the group before the return encounter in a fortnight.
The Brazil born Gomez scored a hat-trick to kick start Bayern’s domestic season with a 3-0 victory against Hanover FC at the weekend. Italian giants, AS Roma will also host Swiss side, Basel FC in another Group E game tonight.
Fixtures
F Spartak Moskva 18:30 Chelsea
F Marseille 20:45 Žilina
G Ajax 20:45 Auxerre
G Real Madrid 20:45 Milan
H Braga 20:45 Partizan
H Arsenal 20:45 Shakhtar Donetsk
E Roma 20:45 Basel
E Bayern 20:45 CFR Cluj
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