REAL MADRID coach Manuel Pellegrini has warned his side not to let AC Milan’s indifferent form lull them into a false sense of security ahead of tonight’s Champions League tie.

The clash at the Bernabeu pits the two most successful clubs in European Cup history against each other, but the pair have experienced vastly contrasting starts to their respective campaigns.

Nine-time European champions Madrid have won eight of their nine competitive matches so far, including both Champions League games against FC Zurich and Marseille.

Milan, who have picked up seven European Cup titles, have taken just 12 points from their opening eight Serie A games and suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to Zurich in their last Champions League game. That suggests Madrid are firm favourites to make it nine points out of nine in Group C, but Pellegrini is taking nothing for granted.

“Many of us have been surprised (by Milan’s poor form), but this cannot make us overconfident,” he said.

“They have very experienced players and they played well in the second half of their match against Roma. If they have space they can be dangerous. A clash between Real Madrid and Milan is special due to the greatness of both clubs and the quality of the squads.”

The game will be extra special for Brazil international Kaka, who swapped Milan for Madrid this summer for a fee in the region of €65 million after spending six seasons at the San Siro.

“It’s the first time I’ve played against a former team,” Kaka said. “It’s something new for me but I’m a professional and now I play for Real Madrid. We will see what happens. I’m going to give my best.”

Aside from Kaka, Milan’s Dutch duo Clarence Seedorf and Klaas Jan Huntelaar could also line up against their former employers.

Another player who is looking forward to returning to the Bernabeu is Milan playmaker Ronaldinho, who has fond memories of his past performances in the Spanish capital while with Barcelona.

AC Milan will be without injured duo Gennaro Gattuso and Marco Storari, while Nelson Dida will replace Storari in goal.

Madrid must cope without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo as well as Guti, Fernando Gago, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Christoph Metzelder, but Lassana Diarra has been passed fit to play.