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 one more dismal Serie A outcome.
Days after overturning a second-half deficit to report their first league win underneath 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 hunch 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 might not be right here subsequent season. Subsequently, they are going to purpose to go the gap this time period, despite the fact that they have to do it in opposition to the chances.
However first, they should safe automated Spherical-of-16 qualification. Something apart from victory in opposition to Girona will in all probability finish such hopes, and the guests gained’t make it straightforward on Milan. Michel’s aspect wasted a halftime lead in a disappointing 2-1 house loss to Sevilla final weekend, additional complicating their state of affairs 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 will not be trying significantly better within the Champions League, the place they languished 5 factors adrift of the final playoff spot pre-round.
Match Preview
Milan
Regardless of their substantial home woes, Milan have fared outstandingly within the Champions League. Since a 3-1 house defeat to Liverpool on matchday two, they’ve gained 4 consecutive league-phase fixtures, together with a nerve-shredding 2-1 house triumph in opposition to Crvena Zvezda final day trip.
In consequence, Milan may 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 last on each earlier events. Subsequently, beating Girona can be an excellent omen, and Conceicao’s males are seemingly in pole place to attain 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 pointless to focus on the importance of profitable right here.
Girona
Not like their hosts, Girona’s probabilities of advancing into the knockout levels look bleak after losring 5 instances within the first six rounds, together with the final three on the spin. Alarmingly, they did not 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 may make undesirable historical past on the San Siro except they someway summon final season’s power. One other defeat ‘to nil’ would see the Catalan outfit develop into the primary aspect within the Champions League to lose 4 successive matches with out discovering the web 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 recreation accountable for the membership. That’s in all probability the one encouragement Michel’s aspect will get forward of this journey after shedding all three away outings within the Champions League with no reply.
Group 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.
Alternatively, Girona will make this journey with out Bojan Mijovski. The North Macedonian striker is out with an ankle drawback. 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 kind 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 may additionally make the distinction come the ultimate whistle.