Real Madrid will be without striker Cristiano Ronaldo once again when AC Milan visits the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night, but it will be a special occasion Kaka.

Kaka was a 65 million euro signing from the Italian side over the summer and the luck of the Champions League draw dictated that he would not have long to wait before facing his former club.

One player who returns to Spain with Milan is former Barcelona ace Ronaldinho.

The Brazilian stunned the Bernabeu with two goals for Barcelona in November 2005, but in recent times he has looked out of form. It will be interesting to see if a return to one of his former haunts can bring the best out of him once again.

Real Madrid has won six out of seven games in the Primera Liga and has kicked off its European adventure with triumphs over Zurich and Olympique Marseilles.

A win against Milan would all but assure Real's place in the last 16 ands take Manuel Pellegrini's side a step closer to the final, which this season is played in Madrid.

As well as the absent Ronaldo, Madrid is still without Ruud vanNistelrooy and Christoph Metzelder. Meanwhile midfielder Lassana Diarra is doubtful after suffering a knock on the knee during Saturday's 4-2 win over Valladolid.

That win was like so many others for Pellegrini's side so far this campaign: Real Madrid struggled to play well for long periods of the game and at times Valladolid looked the better team.

Nevertheless, Madrid's enormous attacking talent surfaced on four occasions with the goals, which sent the fans home relatively happy, but still demanding more.

Milan is currently struggling in Italy, but can be expected to defend in depth and look to take advantage of Madrid's weakness defending free kicks and corners.

Madrid meanwhile will look to Kaka to once again produce his magic to send his former companions home empty handed.