Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League encounter between Milan and Girona on the San Siro has all of the makings of a ‘make or break’ conflict for the house aspect. Underneath Sergio Conceicao for the primary time in Europe’s most prestigious membership competitors, the hosts search amends for an additional dismal Serie A end result.
Days after overturning a second-half deficit to document their first league win beneath Conceicao in opposition to Como, Milan slipped to. Second-half blitz from Samuel Mbangula and Tim Weah condemned the Rossoneri to their first loss in 9 aggressive matches (W5, D3).
Extra importantly, Milan’s first league droop in Turin considerably derailed their hopes of returning into the top-four body. Certainly, they now path fourth-placed Lazio by eight factors, suggesting Milan will not be right here subsequent season. Subsequently, they are going to purpose to go the space this time period, regardless that they need to do it in opposition to the percentages.
However first, they should safe automated Spherical-of-16 qualification. Something aside from victory in opposition to Girona will most likely finish such hopes, and the guests gained’t make it simple on Milan. Michel’s aspect wasted a halftime lead in a disappointing 2-1 dwelling loss to Sevilla final weekend, additional complicating their scenario in La Liga.
They’ve slid to eighth within the standings, elevating questions over their capability to safe back-to-back European finishes for the primary time within the membership’s historical past. Issues usually are not wanting a lot better within the Champions League, the place they languished 5 factors adrift of the final playoff spot pre-round.
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Milan
Regardless of their substantial home woes, Milan have fared outstandingly within the Champions League. Since a 3-1 dwelling defeat to Liverpool on matchday two, they’ve gained 4 consecutive league-phase fixtures, together with a nerve-shredding 2-1 dwelling triumph in opposition to Crvena Zvezda final day out.
Because of this, Milan might win 5 Champions League video games on the trot for less than the third time in historical past. But it surely’s price noting that they reached the grand closing on each earlier events. Subsequently, beating Girona could be an excellent omen, and Conceicao’s males are seemingly in pole place to realize that feat.
Milan have gained their final two matches in opposition to Spanish opposition, together with a outstanding 3-1 victory at Actual Madrid earlier this season. That’s a part of the rationale they need to be assured of scooping up an all-important three factors. With just one separating them from eighth-placed Brest, it’s useless to focus on the importance of successful right here.
Girona
In contrast to their hosts, Girona’s probabilities of advancing into the knockout levels look bleak after losring 5 occasions within the first six rounds, together with the final three on the spin. Alarmingly, they didn’t get on the scoresheet in every fixture, casting doubt on their effort to defy an underwhelming run of solely two wins from their final 9 video games (D1, L6).
Girona might make undesirable historical past on the San Siro until they in some way summon final season’s energy. One other defeat ‘to nil’ would see the Catalan outfit grow to be the primary aspect within the Champions League to lose 4 successive matches with out discovering the online since Speedy Wien between 1996 and 2005.
Nevertheless, there’s a silver lining for the Spaniards. None of Milan’s final three everlasting managers have gained their first Champions League sport answerable for the membership. That’s most likely the one encouragement Michel’s aspect will get forward of this journey after dropping all three away outings within the Champions League with no reply.
Staff Information
Samuel Chukwueze, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Noah Okafor, and Malick Thiaw have joined long-term absentee Alessandro Florenzi on the sidelines. Fikayo Tomori serves a one-game ban for accumulating yellow playing cards. However Milan can draw confidence from Christian Pulisic’s return from harm after lacking Saturday’s journey to Juventus.
Then again, Girona will make this journey with out Bojan Mijovski. The North Macedonian striker is out with an ankle downside. The identical goes for full-back Miguel Gutierrez. Nevertheless, Arnaut Danjuma – previously linked with Milan – will make the matchday squad after overcoming sickness.
Milan vs Girona Potential Beginning Line-ups
Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Emerson, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Bennacer, Fofana; Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao; Morata.
Girona (4-2-3-1): Gazzaniga; Martinez, D. Lopez, Krejci, Blind; Solis, Martin; Tsygankov, Van de Beek, Gil; Ruiz.
Milan vs Girona Prediction
Although Milan’s type doesn’t encourage a lot optimism, they need to win this on sheer willpower. Conceicao’s males boast much more expertise in continental soccer than Girona, which might additionally make the distinction come the ultimate whistle.