AC Milan will be keen to continue their resurgence against Red Star Belgrade in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night
The stage is set for a thrilling Champions League showdown as AC Milan host Red Star Belgrade at San Siro on Wednesday. With the Rossoneri seeking their fourth consecutive win in the competition, they aim to solidify their spot among the top performers in this season’s league phase. Meanwhile, Red Star Belgrade arrive with newfound momentum, determined to prove their resurgence in Europe.
AC Milan, after a shaky start to their Champions League campaign, have roared back into form, winning their last three group games with an attacking flourish. Under the guidance of Paulo Fonseca, the Rossoneri have scored three goals in each of their last three European outings—a feat not achieved in over three decades.
Recent wins over Real Madrid and Slovan Bratislava have propelled Milan into contention for automatic qualification to the Round of 16. With Christian Pulisic and Tijjani Reijnders spearheading their offensive efforts, Fonseca’s side has displayed a lethal edge in attack. Reijnders, in particular, has emerged as a key figure, delivering decisive contributions in both Serie A and the Coppa Italia.
However, Milan’s 2-1 defeat to Atalanta BC in Serie A last weekend was a reminder of their vulnerabilities. Despite the loss, the team remains focused on leveraging their strong home form, where they’ve historically dominated encounters with Serbian opposition. Unbeaten in six meetings with Red Star Belgrade, Milan are heavy favourites to continue that trend.
For Red Star Belgrade, this season’s Champions League campaign has been a rollercoaster. After four consecutive defeats, their emphatic 5-2 win over Stuttgart last month brought an end to a dismal 14-game winless streak in Europe. Nemanja Radonjic’s late heroics and clinical attacking display showcased the potential of Vladan Milojevic’s squad.
Despite their struggles on the continental stage, Red Star have been a dominant force domestically, winning 17 of their 18 league games this season. Their weekend demolition of FK Rad showcased their scoring prowess, with Luka Ilic netting four times. However, translating domestic dominance to European success remains a significant challenge, particularly away from home.
Red Star’s poor record on the road in European competitions — a 10-game losing streak — casts doubt on their ability to upset Milan at San Siro. Additionally, with only two wins in 24 UEFA encounters against Italian teams, the odds are heavily stacked against the Serbian champions. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
AC Milan
AC Milan head into their Champions League clash with Red Star Belgrade facing several absences in their squad. The most notable omission is Christian Pulisic, who is sidelined with a calf injury and could remain unavailable until Christmas. The American forward has been a key player for Milan, contributing four goals and an assist in his last six European outings.
In his absence, Rafael Leao and Alvaro Morata will be expected to shoulder the attacking burden, with Leao leading Milan’s charts for Champions League goals, assists, shots, and dribbles since the start of last season.
Additionally, midfielder Ismael Bennacer and defender Alessandro Florenzi remain out due to long-term injuries, while striker Luka Jovic is still dealing with a groin issue and will not be available for selection. These injuries mean head coach Paulo Fonseca will rely on other squad members to step up and maintain the team’s momentum in Europe.
For Wednesday’s match, AC Milan are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Mike Maignan will start as the goalkeeper, protected by a back four consisting of Davide Calabria at right-back, Fikayo Tomori and Strahinja Pavlovic as the central defenders, and Theo Hernandez at left-back.
The midfield pivot will likely feature Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders, who has been in fine form this season, already matching his career-best goal tally. Samuel Chukwueze, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Rafael Leao will operate in attacking midfield roles, providing creativity and support for Alvaro Morata, who is set to lead the line as the central striker.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Chukwueze, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Morata
Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade head into their Champions League clash against AC Milan with a few key absentees. Forward Peter Olayinka is unavailable due to an Achilles injury, while first-choice goalkeeper Omri Glazer remains sidelined with an adductor issue. In Glazer’s absence, Ivan Gutesa is expected to take his place between the posts.
Cherif Ndiaye has been Red Star’s standout performer in the Serbian league this season, netting 10 goals, and he will lead the line once again. Adding firepower to the attack is Stuttgart loanee Silas, who has scored in his last two Champions League outings. Meanwhile, former Milan midfielder Rade Krunic will return to San Siro in opposition colours, having made 101 appearances for the Rossoneri and won a Scudetto during his time in Italy.
Another player to watch is 17-year-old Andrija Maksimovic, who could set a Champions League record by becoming the youngest player in history to make five consecutive starts in the competition, a milestone previously held by Vincent Kompany during his Anderlecht days.
For Wednesday’s match, Red Star Belgrade are expected to field a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ivan Gutesa will start in goal, with a defensive line comprising Ognjen Mimovic at right-back, Uros Spajic and Nasser Djiga as the central defenders, and Seol Young-woo at left-back.
In midfield, Rade Krunic will pair with Timi Max Elsnik in a deeper role, providing stability and control. The attacking midfield trio will likely feature Silas on the right wing, Andrija Maksimovic in the central playmaker role, and Milson on the left wing, offering creativity and pace to support the attack. Leading the line as the central striker will be Cherif Ndiaye, who will aim to continue his prolific domestic form on the European stage.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Gutesa; Mimovic, Spajic, Djiga, Seol; Krunic, Elsnik; Silas, Maksimovic, Milson; Ndiaye
Key Stats
- AC Milan have faced Red Star Belgrade six times in European competitions and remain unbeaten in those matches (W2 D4). Including qualifiers, Milan have only faced Sparta Prague more times (eight) without ever losing.
- Red Star Belgrade have only won one of their 14 away matches against Italian sides in European competitions (D4 L9). Their lone victory came against Chievo in October 2002, during the UEFA Cup, with a 2-0 win.
- AC Milan have won their last three UEFA Champions League matches, which is more than in their previous 11 combined (W2 D3 L6). They last won four consecutive matches in the competition between February and April 2005.
- Red Star Belgrade recently ended a 14-match winless run in the UEFA Champions League (D1 L13) with a stunning 5-1 win over Stuttgart on Matchday 5. However, they have not won consecutive games in the competition since 1991-92, when they were reigning champions.
- AC Milan have scored exactly three goals in each of their last three UEFA Champions League games. This is their best scoring run in the European Cup/Champions League since their streak between April and September 1989. However, Milan have never scored three or more goals in four consecutive matches in the competition.
Player to Watch
Rafael Leao
Rafael Leao has been one of AC Milan’s standout performers this season and will be crucial in their quest for a fourth consecutive Champions League victory. Known for his electrifying pace, flair, and creativity, the Portuguese winger has consistently delivered for the Rossoneri in Europe’s top competition.
Leao leads Milan in combined goals and assists in the Champions League since the start of last season, underlining his importance to their attack. Beyond his goalscoring ability, he excels at carrying the ball forward, completing dribbles, and breaking defensive lines, making him a constant threat to opposition defenders. His ability to take on defenders one-on-one and create chances out of nothing could prove pivotal against Red Star Belgrade’s backline.
With Christian Pulisic sidelined due to a calf injury, the onus will be on Leao to provide the spark in the final third. Whether cutting inside from the left or linking up with the midfield and forward players, his performance at San Siro could be the decisive factor in Milan’s pursuit of another three points and a step closer to automatic qualification for the knockout stages. Expect Leao to shine under the European spotlight once again.
Prediction
AC Milan 3-1 Red Star Belgrade
Milan’s quality and experience on the European stage should shine through, securing another three points and edging them closer to the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds. The Rossoneri enter this contest as overwhelming favourites, given their current form and Red Star Belgrade’s away struggles in Europe.
The home side’s attacking firepower, led by Christian Pulisic and Tijjani Reijnders, is likely to overwhelm the Serbian defence. While Red Star will look to capitalize on their confidence from recent victories, their vulnerabilities on the road could prove costly.
