Okay so yesterday I got this itch to compare AC Milan and Real Madrid lineups – like, who’d actually start if they played tomorrow? Sounds simple right? But man, teams juggle players like crazy, especially pre-season or with injuries. Grabbed my coffee, opened a fresh doc on my laptop, and just started digging into both rosters.
Step 1: Figuring Out Who’s Even Available
First thing, scoured the latest injury reports and team news. Real Madrid? Always buzzing. Saw Bellingham listed, Modric too. For Milan, Leão seemed good to go. Took notes like:
- Real Madrid Missing?: Thibaut Courtois – big absence!
- AC Milan Missing?: Tomori maybe? Had to double-check that
Step 2: Building the Skeleton – Formation & Core
Decided Carlo Ancelotti would probably stick with his trusted 4-3-1-2 for Real. That midfield is stacked, man. For Milan, Pioli leans toward 4-2-3-1 mostly. That meant listing out positions:
- Goalkeeper: Maignan vs Lunin (since Courtois out)
- Defense: Theo Hernández vs whoever Real slots at LB
- Midfield: Tonali’s replacement at Milan vs Kroos/Valverde
Kept switching tabs between team websites and my doc, getting names down.
Step 3: The Painful Guesswork – Who Gets the Nod?
Here’s where it got messy. Real’s attack? Rodrygo AND Vini Jr. seemed locks. But Benzema’s gone now, so Joselu or Brahim Diaz? Had to think hard about Ancelotti’s recent picks. For Milan’s right wing, Pulisic or Chukwueze? Leão is automatic left side. Scribbled potential clashes:
- Left Flank: Leão vs Carvajal – speed vs experience!
- Midfield Battle: Bennacer/Tijjani vs Modric/Camavinga – young vs old guard
Got stuck on Real’s striker choice for like 10 minutes.
Step 4: Finally, My Picks – With Strong Opinions!
After cross-referencing form and minutes played lately, this is what I landed on, shouting in my head:
- Milan’s Keeper: Maignan – no brainer
- Real’s Keeper: Lunin gets it by default, poor guy
- Defense: Milan’s Hernandez vs Real’s Rüdiger would be fireworks
- Midfield: Kroos and Modric start for me – legends aren’t benchwarmers!
- Attack: Both teams need Vini Jr. and Leão firing – game-changers
My gut says Real edges the midfield just on sheer pedigree, even if old. But Milan’s wings? Leão could terrorize that Real right side.
Finished by typing out the full projected XIs side-by-side in my doc. Total took about an hour of grumbling at inconsistent news sources and flipping through player stats. Feels solid… until Ancelotti changes everything tomorrow!