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Anderlecht vs. AC Milan 2012: Please, deity, not a repeat of the last one

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Claudio Villa

The first Champions League match between Anderlecht and Milan was the worst thing. Let's hope they don't do it again.

When Anderlecht and AC Milan first met in the Champions League, they played an unfathomably boring match that put everyone to sleep by the 15th minute. It was extremely apparent well before halftime that if a goal ever came out of the match, it was going to come as a result of a 40-yard rocket for the ages or a horrific defensive error. It was easily the worst match of the Champions League group stage thus far.

This time around, both teams have some incentive to play a bit more aggressively. They'll know if Zenit St. Petersburg were victorious before they take the pitch, but assuming a desperate Zenit team wins at home against a Malaga team that is resting half their squad, both of these teams will feel like they need a win to feel good about their chances going into the final day of group stage play.

Both of these teams have gone through various formation and personnel changes, due to form and injury problems this season. As a result, it's unlikely that they're going to field the exact same horrifically boring sides that faced off at the San Siro earlier this fall. If Milan and Anderlecht actually decide to attack, this should be a good match.

Anderlecht injuries and suspensions

Out: Ronald Vargas, Gohi Bi Cyriac, Matias Suarez.

AC Milan injuries and suspensions

Out: Massimo Ambrosini, Ignazio Abate, Daniele Bonera, Luca Antonini

When your entire defense has thigh and hamstring strains, it might be time to find a new training staff, Milan.

Match Date/Time: 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET

Venue: Stade Constant Vanden Stock, Brussels, Belgium

TV: FOX Sports Net regional affiliates (U.S.), Sky Sports red button (U.K.), Sky Calcio 1 (Italy)

Online: FOX Soccer 2 Go (U.S.), Sportsnet World Online (Canada)

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

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