Madrid and Milan set for 'special match'

José Mourinho faces old rivals when Real Madrid CF welcome AC Milan on Tuesday and the Portuguese highlighted the threat of two opposing players, Filippo Inzaghi and his former FC Internazionale Milano charge, Zlatan Ibrahimović. Milan trail the UEFA Champions League Group G leaders by two points but Massimiliano Allegri's side are on a winning run and the coach said they were "ready for Madrid".

José Mourinho, Real Madrid coach
We have the chance to take control of our destiny in this group. We've played nine times [this season] and for me no one game is more important than another nor is one opponent better than another. Having said that, Milan have players of great quality and they must be respected. I value each one of their players but if I'm being honest I hope that 'Pippo' [Inzaghi] doesn't play.

A side that contains a player like Ibrahimović is a special one. Every player who has played for me is always in my heart and 'Ibra' was a fundamental part of my team. Madrid are obviously different to the rest of my teams. We are continuing to improve and we believe we are creating positive vibes here. I'll be looking for a very positive atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabéu with our fans eager to get behind us in what will be a difficult game between two clubs who both have very special histories.

Massimiliano Allegri, Milan coach
I think that right now we find ourselves in good mental and physical condition. We're going into this game on the back of three straight wins so we feel we're ready for Madrid. I hope this will be a special match – personally I think it will be fascinating – but the most important thing will be the points on offer. The game will be a fundamental in terms of forging ahead in the Champions League.

Mourinho is right to be worried about Filippo Inzaghi as he's scored lots of goals at both club and international level. It's always important to go into these type of encounters with enthusiasm and that's what we've been doing up until now. If Mourinho has been involved in so many UEFA Champions League games it obviously means he has more experience than me, but this isn't a match between Mourinho and Allegri. The game itself is important in terms of us trying to take the points. I've been fortunate enough to have been chosen for this job and I'll be doing everything possible to continue here.

Team news
• Madrid
Fernando Gago has been ruled out for a month with a knee problem. Ezequiel Garay, Kaká (both knee) and Raúl Albiol (ankle) are yet to play this season, though the latter was an unused substitute against Málaga CF on Saturday and is available, unlike the former pair. Sergio Canales came off the bench to make his first Madrid appearance since spraining his right ankle on 19 September. Sergio Ramos missed the Málaga match with a right knee problem, and despite training on Monday is not deemed fit to face Milan.

• Milan
Thiago Silva left the field on a stretcher during Saturday's game against AC Chievo Verona after injuring his left ankle and faces a fitness test. Massimo Ambrosini has not played since injuring his left knee against AJ Auxerre and is missing along with Marek Jankulovski.

Weekend results
16/10/10 Málaga CF 1-4 Madrid
(Stadsgaard 55; Higuaín 30 65, Ronaldo 44 50pen)
Cristiano Ronaldo had a hand in all four goals at Málaga and has scored six in his last four games for club and country. Madrid remain unbeaten under Mourinho and have scored ten in two Liga outings, having mustered six in their opening five league games.

16/10/10 Milan 3-1 AC Chievo Verona
(Pato 18 30, Robinho 90+3; Ibrahimović og 70)
Robinho scored his first goal for Milan as the Rossoneri made it seven games unbeaten in all competitions. Ibrahimović has struck seven goals in his last ten appearances for club and country; Pato has hit four in three.

Did you know?
Clarence Seedorf made 121 Liga appearances for Los Merengues from 1996 to 1999 and has won the UEFA Champions League with both Madrid (1998) and Milan (2003, 2007).

See the match background for more information