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Mumbai 16th October 2009:The world?s most expensive player Cristiano Ronaldo could make a shock comeback for Real Madrid?s crucial Uefa Champions League ties against AC Milan, which will be shown live on Ten Sports on October 21
Ronaldo suffered an ankle injury in the Champions League win over Marseille on September 30 and the problem flared up again during Portugal?s recent World Cup qualifier against Hungary.
It was feared he would be sidelined for up to a month but the 24-year-old, who has scored nine goals in seven games for his new club, has been undergoing intensive treatment in a desperate bid to be fit for the Champions League.
Ten Sports football presenter Joe Morrison is certain the match against AC Milan will be a blockbuster even if the talented winger does not play.
?Real has a big squad of top players and they shouldn?t be too reliant on Ronaldo,? he said. ?But the player now referred to as CR9 has proven yet again that his presence can make a big difference and I hope he does play.
?These two football giants go head to head at a really interesting time. The first signs of fall outs between the ‘Galacticos‘ and their manager Manuel Pellegrini appeared a couple of weeks ago and they were beaten by a feisty Sevilla prior to the International break.
?As for AC Milan, well Leonardo might not even be in charge by the time of kick-off at the Bernabeau so it really is a high stakes match. Will it be Pellegrini or Leonardo to blink first? Let?s see.??
Ten Sports will broadcast a total of six super group stage games on Tuesday, October 20, and Wednesday, October 21, including Real Madrid, Barcelona and the top four English clubs.
Matchday three live action on Tuesday night features Liverpool v Lyon, followed by Barcelona v Rubin Kazan and then AZ Alkmaar v Arsenal.
It?s back-to-back live action on Wednesday night on Ten with CSKA Moscow v Manchester United, followed by Real Madrid v AC Milan and then Chelsea v Atletico Madrid.
All the action will be analysed in the studio by well-respected former footballers Denis Irwin, John Beresford and Carlton Palmer.
Outspoken guest Palmer wants Liverpool to do well at Anfield when they take on early pacesetters Lyon for the first time.
"I‘ve seen that some of my comments have upset some viewers out there,? he said. ?But I try to give an honest assessment of all the matches. You have to understand that I am an Englishman and I want to see the English clubs do well but I get frustrated when a great club like Liverpool puts in a performance like they did on matchday two when they lost in Florence. Liverpool fans deserve better than that and hopefully this week we will see that from the team on home soil."
Despite leading Group B, former Manchester United star Denis Irwin reckons the Red Devils could be left out in the cold in Russia in the early kick off on Wednesday night.
?This is going to be a tough match for United,? he said ?It‘s never easy going to Russia, especially with the temperature so low over there. CSKA have some decent players who can cause problems and I think United will have to put in a better performance than they did against Wolfsburg if they are going to come away with three points. The good thing so far with the campaign is that they have not been at their best yet but are still top of their group with a 100% record."
Group D leaders Chelsea and Group H leaders Arsenal should continue their impressive domestic form in Europe next week, says former England defender John Beresford.
?Both the Blues and the Gunners? face teams? bottom of their respective groups but they can‘t be complacent at this stage, ?he said.
?We have not seen the best of Atletico Madrid but they are a very good side and will know that a loss to Chelsea would make it extremely difficult for them to qualify. The same goes for Alkmaar. They will want to put in a good performance in front of their home fans. I think both games will be tough but Chelsea at home should get the win while Arsenal should get at least a point. They?ve been playing well lately," he added.
