AC Milan are again in Champions League motion on Tuesday night time in what might be their penultimate away sport within the league part towards Slovan Bratislava.
Tensions are excessive in the meanwhile after the staff had been following a boring 0-0 draw towards Juventus on Saturday that leaves them 10 factors off high. Nevertheless, the swap to European competitions gives an opportunity to vary focus.
The goal for Paulo Fonseca’s aspect must be within the preliminary part, which might doubtless be sufficient to get them a spot within the high eight and thus direct entry to the final 16.
Recreation date: Tuesday, November 26Kick-off time: 18:45 (CET)Venue: Štadión Tehelné poleReferee: José María Sánchez Martinez (VAR: Del Cerro Grande)
Staff information
Fonseca reiterated after the 0-0 draw towards Juventus that he continues to consider in Milan’s possibilities of successful the Scudetto, however .
All of the staff can realistically do is consider one sport at a time and due to this fact focus solely on the away match towards Slovan, as a result of the Champions League gives an opportunity to rediscover some kind and confidence.
The Rossoneri began their European marketing campaign with defeats towards Liverpool and Leverkusen however have since gained towards Membership Brugge and Actual Madrid. With video games towards Pink Star (dwelling), Girona (dwelling) and Dinamo Zagreb (away) to comply with tomorrow’s, the highest eight is a sensible goal.
When it comes to staff information, there are simply the three identified harm absences. Luka Jovic nonetheless has a again problem and was excluded from the UCL squad listing anyway, whereas Ismael Bennacer and Alessandro Florenzi are nonetheless recovering from surgical procedure.
There have been some worries about Rafael Leao after he limped out of San Siro after the draw on the weekend however he’s effective. Emerson Royal missed coaching on Monday with an ankle knock however ought to make the journey and be out there.
The ultimate bit of stories is that Alvaro Morata has already reached the yellow card threshold and should serve a one-game suspension, which means Tammy Abraham and Francesco Camarda are the 2 striker choices.
Regardless of a poor consequence towards Juventus, positives might be taken – notably the clear sheet that was stored. Because of this, any adjustments to the defence should be made with consideration, nevertheless it appears Fonseca is prepared to make adjustments.
Mike Maignan will stay in objective as regular. Regardless of travelling with the squad, Emerson is prone to be dropped for Davide Calabria who performed the ultimate minutes of the conflict towards the Bianconeri, moreover, Fikayo Tomori is about to return to the beginning aspect, and he ought to associate Malick Thiaw with Theo Hernandez remaining at left-back.
The midfield is not going to be modified, so Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders might be partnering as soon as once more, however they’ll see Christian Pulisic return in entrance of them after he was a substitute on the weekend.
Samuel Chukwueze must also return to the beginning XI with Fonseca anticipated to assault this sport, and Rafael Leao will begin on the opposing wing. With Morata’s suspension, Abraham is anticipated to guide the road.
Predicted Milan XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Thiaw, Theo; Fofana, Reijnders; Chukwueze, Pulisic, Leao; Abraham
Extra Tales / The Match
The opponents
Slovan Bratislava are probably the most profitable staff within the historical past of Slovakian soccer, having gained the league title 22 instances and in addition the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1969. They’ve gained the SuperLiga six instances in a row and they’re presently high.
The Belasí have amassed 35 factors from their opening 14 matches domestically this season, scoring 29 objectives and permitting 17, with a one-point hole over MSK Zilina in second however a sport in hand.
Within the Champions League, nonetheless, they’ve discovered issues very troublesome. They misplaced 5-1 to Celtic within the first spherical, then 4-0 to Manchester Metropolis, 2-0 to Girona and most not too long ago 4-1 to Dinamo Zagreb, placing them backside of the pile.
Their head coach Vladimir Weiss – who admitted in that Milan have weaknesses they will goal – will get again a few gamers from harm.
The primary is Kevin Wimmer, previously of Spurs, who has recovered from a muscle harm. The opposite is Juraj Kucka, who Milan followers will keep in mind properly from his spell on the membership from 2015 to 2017.
As a result of accidents, Vladimir Weiss has been pressured to make use of a 4-2-3-1 in current weeks, nevertheless it appears he may shift again to a 3-4-2-1 towards Milan with key gamers returning. Takac is anticipated to maintain his place within the sticks, and Kenan Bajric stays the one constant defender this season. Alongside him Wimmer and Kashia are anticipated to come back into the beginning aspect.
In midfield, Cesar Blackman ought to return, as ought to Savvidis. They are going to be joined by the everpresent Ignatenko and Mak to make up the financial institution of 4.
Behind Strelec, who has contributed 9 instances to date this season within the Slovakian first division, must be Marko Tolic and the captain, Tigran Barseghyan.
Definitely, a extra attacking lineup, and with Kucka admitting the Slovakian outfit , Fonseca should not disrespect the hosts together with his lineup selections.
Predicted Slovan Bratislava XI (3-4-2-1): Takac; Bajric, Kashia, Wimmer; Blackman, Ignatenko, Savvidis, Mak; Barseghyan, Tolic; Strelec.
Face to face
Milan have really performed towards Slovan twice of their historical past already, and it was within the 1992-93 version of the Champions League.
Within the second spherical tie, the Rossoneri gained 1-0 away from dwelling with Paolo Maldini getting the one objective of the sport. Again at San Siro, Zvonimir Boban, Frank Rijkaard, Marco Simone and Jean-Pierre Papin scored in a 4-0 rout.
The opposite Slovak staff that Milan have confronted is Lokomotiva Kosica, who they beat on penalties within the first spherical of the 1978-79 UEFA Cup after a 1-1 mixture draw. Franco Baresi scored the successful spot kick.
Key info and stats
➤ Slovan Bratislava have confronted Milan on two earlier events in Europe, with each of these ending in defeats in qualifying for the 1992-93 UEFA Champions League (0-1 at dwelling and 0-4 away – second spherical qualifiers).
➤ This might be Slovan Bratislava’s first sport towards an Italian aspect in European competitors for the reason that 2014-15 marketing campaign, after they misplaced dwelling (0-2) and away (0-3) within the UEFA Europa League group stage towards Napoli.
➤ Milan’s final sport in main European competitors towards a Slovakian aspect dates again to the 1978-79 season – after two legs, the Italians wanted a penalty shootout to progress previous Lokomotiva Kosice within the first spherical of the UEFA Cup (1-1 on mixture, gained 7-6 on penalties).
➤ After victories over Membership Brugge and Actual Madrid, Milan wish to win three consecutive matches in main European competitors for the primary time since February 2023. The final time they gained three such matches in a row by 2+ objectives was in April 2005 (3); a season during which they completed as UEFA Champions League runners-up.
➤ Slovan Bratislava have misplaced every of their final seven video games in main European competitors, whereas solely as soon as have that they had an extended such shedding streak (9 video games between November 2011 and December 2014).
➤ Courtesy of 3-1 victories over each Membership Brugge and Actual Madrid of their final two UEFA Champions League video games, Milan netted as many objectives in these two as of their earlier 10 video games within the competitors mixed (6). The final time they scored 3+ objectives in three consecutive European Cup/Champions League video games was in September 1989 (3).
➤ Slovan Bratislava are certainly one of 5 groups who’re but to win a single level within the UEFA Champions League this season (L4), whereas they’ve the worst objective distinction (-13) of any aspect in 2024-25 (two objectives, 15 conceded).
➤ Solely 7.7% of the minutes Milan have handed out this season within the UEFA Champions League have been to Italian gamers. The one Italian aspect to award a decrease share of minutes to Italians in a season is Internazionale in 2007-08 (3.2%) and 2009-10 (7.5%).
➤ Tijjani Reijnders is Milan’s high scorer within the UEFA Champions League this season (3). Excluding penalties, the final participant to internet extra in a single marketing campaign for the Italian aspect was Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2010-11 (4), whereas the final midfielder to take action was Kaká in 2006-07 (7).
➤ Milan’s Rafael Leão has accomplished extra dribbles than every other participant within the UEFA Champions League this season (20). Certainly, his 20 are probably the most by a Portuguese participant by means of their first 4 appearances in a single marketing campaign since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2006-07 (22 for Manchester United).
Ones to observe
If the hosts are to have a profitable night, it would doubtless be because of Tigran Barseghyan’s affect, and Milan should present him the respect he deserves. The midfielder has made 14 contributions this season, and if allowed the house to dictate assaults, he may add to this season’s catalogue.
For the guests, we should see one thing extra from Tammy Abraham. This season has not been simple for the Englishman, and neither have current years. Nevertheless, elite soccer is usually a ruthless enterprise, and if the striker needs to increase his keep in Milano, objectives and performances have to begin coming. Tuesday might be a golden ticket, nevertheless it stays to see if he’ll money it in.
One other participant who has to indicate extra is Davide Calabria. Minutes have been uncommon for the Italian, and with Emerson probably being rested, it serves as a golden alternative for him to maybe discover himself a spot throughout the staff.
Cliche, sure, however the greatest one to observe on this sport is Fonseca. The stress is undoubtedly constructing, and the Diavolo should be assertive of their efficiency. A win is critical, nevertheless it can’t be a satisfactory efficiency, the Portuguese head coach, and in equity, the squad, should show themselves.
Prediction
As beforehand acknowledged, Milan have a job to do, and sadly for them, simply doing it is not going to be sufficient. Followers are starting to show their frustrations, and the Rossoneri can not let this boil into one thing bigger. Because of this, a dominant efficiency is a should, and failing to ship that may solely add gas to the fireplace.
Slovan Bratislava 1-3 AC Milan