AC Milan kick off their 2012-13 Champions League campaign against Anderlecht in Group C as they look to win the famous trophy for the first time since 2007.
The Italian giants last won the trophy in 2007 when they defeated Premier League side Liverpool FC 2-1 in a rematch of the superb 2005 final which the Reds won on penalties after Milan threw away a 3-0 half-time lead.
Ac Milan are the second most successful team in the history of the Champions League, winning the famous piece of silverware on seven separate occasions. The only team to have won it more times than the Italians is Real Madrid who have nine wins under their belt.
Milan have yet to play a game in the Champions League this season having automatically qualified for the Group Stages having come runners-up to Juventus in Serie A.
Their opponents, Anderlecht, are no mugs though and they are the current champions of the Belgium Pro League.
They have never won the Champions League and they will probably not this time around either, but they are very capable of causing AC Milan, Malaga and Zenit St Petersburg quite a few problems in Group C.
Despite being champions of Belgium, Anderlecht still had to qualify for the Group Stages and they entered the tournament at the third qualifying round.
They managed an 11-0 aggregate win over Lithuanian side Ekranas, before sealing a place in the Group Stage with a 3-2 aggregate score line triumph over Cyprus side AEL.
It is safe to say the Belgium’s can score goals, but how good their defence is against a world class attack will soon be found out.
Match betting for this match sees Milan as overwhelming favourites at 1/2 with
Bet365, while Anderlecht are available at 6/1. The draw, which would be a fantastic result for Anderlecht, is on offer at 3/1.
These two have met in the Champions League before, they were drawn in Group H in 2006/07 on Milan’s way to winning their seventh title. The Italians won the first game 4-1 at the San Siro Stadium before claiming a 1-0 win in Belgium.