AC Milan and Real Madrid CF resume their heavyweight contest at San Siro on Tuesday with the Spanish side out to avenge their 3-2 defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu on Matchday 3.
The Rossoneri had won just one of five games before facing Madrid last month, when they came from a goal down to claim victory at the Bernabeu, but Leonardo's men have found some form ever since. They have taken seven points from a possible nine in Serie A, including Saturday's 2-0 triumph over Parma which lifted them to fourth in the standings.
The win at Madrid left both teams evel on six points at the top of Group C after three games.
History suggests the Italian giants have reason to be optimistic as they have won all five games against Madrid at the San Siro and conceded just one goal. The good news for the hosts is that Alessandro Nesta has recovered from a muscle injury that kept him out of Saturday's game against Parma and will be available to face the Spaniards.
Alexandre Pato, who scored twice in the first meeting between the two, is set to lead Milan's attack alongside Filippo Inzaghi and Ronaldinho.
Madrid also head into the match with renewed confidence after going some way towards redeeming themselves for last week's humiliating Copa del Rey defeat to lowly Alcorcon. They enjoyed a stirring derby victory over Getafe on Saturday, where they recovered from the early dismissal of defender Raul Albiol to claim a 2-0 win.
Madrid had plenty of heroes in that match but it was striker Gonzalo Higuain who stood out, netting both his side's goals and only narrowly missing out on a sensational 12-minute hat-trick.
For Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo is still ruled out with the injury he picked on international duty. Ezequiel Garay, Guti and Christoph Metzelder are all omitted from the squad that traveled to Milan
On the other hand Milan have Christian Abbiati (knee), Davide Di Gennaro (toe), Oguchi Onyewu (knee), Marco Storari (thigh), Marek Jankulovski (ankle) injured. Nesta is doubtful for the clash but could be a late call for coach Leonardo.
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