Mourinho: Milan clash same as any other

Posted Tuesday, October 19, 2010 by PA

European superpowers Real Madrid and AC Milan go head-to-head at the Bernabeu in arguably the stand-out match of the Champions League group stages - although for Madrid coach Jose Mourinho it is business as usual.

Madrid and Milan are the two most successful clubs in European Cup history with 16 titles between them and they go into Tuesday's encounter as the top two sides in Group G, with the Spanish outfit boasting a perfect six out of six from two games and the Italians two points behind.

There are plenty of sub-plots as well, though, with Milan having beaten nine-times European champions Madrid 3-2 in Spain at the same phase of last season`s competition, while Massimiliano Allegri`s side have Robinho in their ranks - the Brazilian having left Madrid in acrimonious circumstances in 2008.

There is also Mourinho's hugely successful spell at Milan`s arch rivals Inter - who he led to an unprecedented treble last season - and the return to Spanish soil of former Barcelona players Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho and Gianluca Zambrotta, as well as another ex-Madrid player in Clarence Seedorf.

Ibrahimovic also played under Mourinho at Inter prior to joining Barca in the summer of 2009.

Despite all that however, Mourinho insists he will be treating the match the same as any other, saying: "We`ve played nine games this season and none is more important than the other, no opponent deserves more respect than any other.

"We`re preparing for the game and we are studying our opponents with the same intensity. They are an opponent with a different history (to other teams), because between them and us we`ve won 16 European Cups, but it`s one more game. If we win, then the day after will be Wednesday, and if we lose it will also be Wednesday.

"We`re in a calm situation. We`re first in the group and in control of our own destiny. We`re not playing a knock-out tie, but to qualify for the next round."

On the prospect of facing Ibrahimovic, who had an indifferent 12-month spell at Barca before moving to Milan this summer, Mourinho said: "We`re playing against a team, not one player, but Ibra is different. The know him in Italy and I know him, but in Spain they don`t, because here he didn`t have confidence.

"In a team as well organised as Milan, a player like that can make the difference."

The former Chelsea boss, who also highlighted the threat of Milan`s prolific European goalscorer Filippo Inzaghi during Monday's press conference at the Madrid training ground, is unbeaten so far in the Bernabeu hotseat, winning seven of his nine matches - the last two of which have produced 10 goals.

Ibrahimovic won the Serie A title under Mourinho, and the Swede spoke highly of his old boss.

"My rapport with Mourinho? He inspired me," said Ibrahimovic. "He is a winner.

"Allegri seems a calmer person, with less presence than Mourinho or (Fabio) Capello."

Ibrahimovic, who is his side`s leading goalscorer in the Champions League this season with three goals, also insists he has no regrets about joining Milan this summer.

"To be back in Italy really excites me," he said. "The fans are different, they are more active than with respect to the Spanish supporters.

"In Spain, they applaud when you do something nice as though you were in the theatre.

"In Italy it's a different thing altogether."

As for facing Madrid, the former Ajax and Juventus forward said: "Do they (Real) fear me? If they do, I'm happy. But I try to work hard for the team. Because only with the team can you go far."

The Rossoneri, who are joint second with Inter in Serie A, head into the encounter on the back of a 3-1 triumph over Chievo.

Allegri has included in his travelling squad defender Thiago Silva and goalkeeper Christian Abbiati, despite both players having sustained injuries in Saturday's game.

Silva is doubtful with an ankle injury while Abbiati sustained a minor muscular problem.

Madrid are again without Sergio Ramos due to a knee problem, while Sergio Canales has been omitted from Mourinho`s 20-man squad.