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Football.ua presents the announcement of the first match of the Europa League round of 16 between Manchester United and Milan.
The two biggest names in European football will meet again on Thursday night when Manchester United host Milan in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League round of 16. Both teams are fighting for success in Europe, but they also do not forget to chase their main rivals in the national championships.
Manchester United – Milan
Thursday 11 March 19:55, Manchester, Old Trafford. The referee for the meeting is Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia). Broadcast on the Football 3 television channel.
Let’s end the battle, which until recently could have been called almost a Champions League classic (after all, do many remember Kaka’s legendary goal in the 2006/07 season semi-final?). Ten titles “with ears” for two, just one minute!
Since the last meeting (2009/10 campaign) between Milan and Manchester United, the balance of power in Europe has changed significantly, but this season runs the risk of becoming a prologue for the future return of the Rossoneri to the status of one of the teams. stronger in old world. That’s why the confrontation between the “red devils” and … the “red devils” seems intriguing. Yes, yes, because they both have the same nickname.
Surprisingly, Milan have never reached the UEFA / Europa League final in their colorful and eventful European Cup history. Prior to this, the top team in the fashion capital was in two semi-finals in 1972 (lost to Tottenham) and 2002 (they were defeated by Borussia Dortmund).
The main cherry on the cake of this showdown, in addition to those players who somehow crossed paths with the Rossoneri in Serie A (Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani and others), was expected to return the ever-young Zlatan to Old Trafford , but a meeting of old acquaintances could not take place due to the injury of the Swede, received in the recent fight with Roma. He will lose at least the first game and this is already a fact, but he may have time to recover in the second.
Ahead of this week’s opener at Manchester United, he ended a remarkable 21-game winning streak for the home dominators in all competitions, winning 2-0 away in the Premier League. However, Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer’s pupils are still 11 points behind the “citizens” in the standings.
The hosts, unbeaten in 17 consecutive games since late January and still enjoying the glory of the Manchester derby victory, will also have a winning route against the Rossoneri, having won their last four matches against Milan. The Rossoneri’s last victory was in the 2007 Champions League semi-finals.
Milan travels to England during a period of instability, which is partly due to the many injuries that allowed Inter to send the Rossoneri out of the Italian Cup and lead Serie A with a six-point advantage. However, in their last two away games, Milan have won two victories over Roma and Verona, but between them there was a boring and difficult draw with Udinese.
It’s possible that the winner of this undoubtedly eminent pair could eventually win the trophy.
If we talk about squads, let’s start with Manchester United, where the staffing situation also leaves a lot to be desired in light of injuries. Marcus Rashford’s involvement is seriously questioned, as is that of another forward, Edinson Cavani. Neither will the “red devils” David De Gea, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Phil Jones help.
As for Milan, the key absence is definitely Ibrahimovic, and besides him, Ismael Bennasser, Ante Rebic, Hakan Chalhanoglu and Teo Hernandez will definitely miss the match. In the center of the defense, most likely, will play Simon Kier and Alessio Romagnoli, who received rest the day before, against Zlatan will be replaced by Rafael Leau.
Approximate compositions:
United manchester: Henderson – Van Bissaka, Lindelef, Maguire, Shaw – Fred, Mactominey – Greenwood, Fernandes, James – Martial
Milan: Donnarumma – Calabria, Qier, Romagnoli, Dalot – Tonali, Kessier – Salemakers, Diaz, Castillejo – Leau
Interesting data:
– This will be the 11th meeting between Manchester United and Milan in European competition, with the previous 10 matches played in the Europa League (UEFA Cup) or the Champions League.
– All matches ended with wins for one side – each of the teams won five matches.
– Every time Milan beat Manchester United, they managed to keep the goal clean.
– In their last game in March 2010, Manchester United won 4-0 and this is Milan’s most painful European defeat, not counting the Super Bowls.
– Having reached the quarter-finals of European competition, Milan have been eliminated six of the last seven times, after nine in a row between 1988 and 2007. Their only success during this period was the victory over Arsenal in the Champions League in the 2011/12 season.
1: 0 prognosis
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