AC Milan vs Barcelona
Two of the most decorated sides in world football are pitting their wits against each other in Santa Clara, California.
The Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers, is the venue for an ICC 2018 clash for SBOBET fans to savour.
Yet there is one name on the lips of each set of fans before this encounter – and neither of those stars will even be playing!
Talking Points
Step forward Gonzalo Higuain and Arturo Vidal.
Even with Cristiano Ronaldo arriving in Turin and Leonardo Bonucci returning after a year at the San Siro, Milan must never have genuinely anticipated being given the opportunity to sign the marksman who, more than anyone, has fired Juventus to back-to-back titles (they have won seven in succession).
Forty league goals in two seasons will be hard to replace, and Milan have secured a coup in securing the Argentine international on a season-long loan deal as well as defender Mattia Caldara – moves described by the club as ‘two of the most important pieces’ of its new era.
That new era is being overseen by Gennaro Gattuso who is hoping to build on the foundations of a sixth-place finish in Serie A and a runners-up spot in the Coppa Italia last season – scant reward after such a heavy-spending summer.
In fairness, Gattuso only arrived in November and has set about rebuilding through youth and, now with the likes of Higuain, experience and a deadly prolific talent.
The €18-million loan deal includes an option for the Rossoneri to buy him outright for €34 million next summer, and his signing will have given the club a massive lift, judging by the way he was mobbed as he made his way to the club for a medical.
Contrast that also with the boos some sections of Juventus fans greeted Bonucci with.
Caldara never actually played a senior competitive game for Juventus but remains highly thought-of and helped Atalanta to successive seasons qualifying for the Europa League. Gattuso clearly sees a more than emerging talent given he has signed a deal which will tie him to Milan until 2023.
While the new signings will not figure in this match, it should certainly put pressure on others to start performing as Milan look to bounce back from their narrow defeat to Spurs earlier this week.
The name on fans’ lips in Catalonia is an unusual one.
In Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal, coach Ernesto Valverde has pounced for a 31-year-old who is seen as an ideal figure following the departure of club legend Andres Iniesta and Paulinho, the Brazilian in whom Valverde placed much faith.
The understated coach guided Barcelona to a Spanish league and cup double in his first season and possesses world stars such as Lionel Messi, Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez – not that those big names will figure in this encounter either.
The arrival of new signing Malcom from Brazil is one to watch, though, and Vidal’s recruitment will excite many fans.
In theory, this will be a very understrength Barca side, and Milan will see this as an ideal opportunity to claim a good result before further friendlies against RB Leipzig and European champions Real Madrid.
After intense negotiations over the last few days, it is time for the match.
Regardless of those on the pitch and those who aren’t this weekend, this fixture could well prove one of the ICC 2018 highlights.
History
There have been several classic matches between the sides in European history.
Their meeting in the 1994 European Cup Final proved a one-sided affair in favour of Milan when Johan Cruyff and his Barca’s dream died in emphatic fashion.
When they met again 12 years later, Barca gained a modicum of revenge with a narrow semi-final victory en-route to three Champions League successes in six years.
What are the odds?
The ICC betting odds slightly favour Barca and so they should. They are priced 1X2 @ 2.42, with Milan @ 2.71 and odds on the draw available @ 3.35.
Asian Handicap odds offer a similar theme with Barca -0.25 @ 2.17 and Milan 0.00 @ 2.07.
It is hard to anticipate if there will be many goals, the best offering actually being under 3.00 goals @ 2.16.
A 1-1 draw will pay out at 7.00; of course, any drawn match in the competition will automatically be decided by a penalty shoot-out.
The result may be secondary, but my betting tip actually edges towards Milan who will have been mightily lifted by the signing of Higuain.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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