Milan's resurgence makes Kaka return a footnote
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Real Madrid will meet AC Milan in Champions League in Milan's San Sir Stadium on Tuesday night looking to regain the credit the club has lost in recent weeks.
Although the side coached by Manuel Pellegrini produced a brave performance to win with just 10 men at home to a disappointing Getafe, a run of just one win from the five previous games saw the coach's prestige take a serious knock.
That run of games saw a 3-2 home defeat to Milan and a damaging4-0 setback against lowly Alcorcon in the King's Cup.
Club President Florentino Perez gave his muted support to Pellegrini on Italian television on Sunday night, insisting that he hoped the coach would still be in charge at the end of the season. However, defeat to Milan would be anther blow to Pellegrini just four days before the Madrid derby against Atletico Madrid in the Vicente Calderon stadium.
Real Madrid is still without Cristiano Ronaldo, who has still not recovered from his ankle injury. Ronaldo's absence should be compensated by the form shown by Gonzalo Higuain, who took his chance by scoring both goals against Getafe on Saturday.
Guti has however, been left out of the squad after a reported bust up with the coach during the Alcorcon defeat.
The game will mean an emotional return for Kaka to what was his home ground until last summer. The Brazilian ace can expect a warm welcome from the AC Milan supporters.
Alvaro Arberloa will continue at left back and Raul Albiol, harshly sent off on Saturday, will partner Pepe in central defense.
A win would all but qualify Real Madrid for the last 16, but anything other than a win would leave Pellegrini's side struggling to finish top of its group.
That could mean a more difficult rival in the knockout stages of the competition and once again raise questions about Pellegrini's status at the club.
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