AC Milan will seek to end their losing streak in the UEFA Champions League when they welcome Club Brugge to San Siro.
After two consecutive losses, AC Milan find themselves in a precarious position as they prepare to host Club Brugge at San Siro in their third Champions League group-stage fixture. With no points from their opening two games, the pressure is mounting for Paulo Fonseca’s side, who are desperate to kick-start their European campaign.
AC Milan’s European campaign started off on the wrong foot, losing 3-1 to Liverpool in their opening match at San Siro. Things went from bad to worse as the Rossoneri followed that up with a 1-0 defeat away to Bayer Leverkusen, courtesy of a second-half strike by Victor Boniface.
Despite their historical success in the UEFA Champions League, Milan have struggled on this stage in recent years. Their current form in the competition makes for bleak reading, with the Italian giants winning just nine of their last 33 games at the elite level of European football. Another loss on Tuesday would mark only the second time they have lost their first three matches of a Champions League campaign.
Although their domestic form has been more encouraging, with a recent 1-0 victory over Udinese keeping them in good shape in Serie A, Milan’s European woes continue to put pressure on Fonseca. The weekend win was marked by a red card to Tijjani Reijnders, which meant Milan had to play with 10 men for over an hour. Despite the handicap, they held on to win through Samuel Chukwueze’s early goal, highlighting their defensive resolve.
On the other hand, Club Brugge arrive in Italy with some momentum after picking up a crucial 1-0 win over Sturm Graz earlier this month. Nicky Hayen’s side bounced back from their opening-day defeat to Borussia Dortmund, and with three points on the board, they’ll be hopeful of springing a surprise in Milan.
Club Brugge have been solid away from home in recent European campaigns, boasting a four-game unbeaten run in Champions League away games, all while keeping clean sheets. Historically, Brugge have also enjoyed some success in Milan, most notably a 1-0 win at San Siro in the 2002-03 Champions League season.
Domestically, Brugge are also in solid form, with a 2-1 win over Westerlo moving them up to fourth in the Belgian Pro League. With an important clash against Anderlecht looming this weekend, confidence is high within the squad as they aim to pull off another memorable result on the European stage. The Hard Tackle delves into the potential elevens and tactics for this highly-anticipated clash.
Team News & Tactics
AC Milan
Paulo Fonseca rotated his squad for the hard-fought win against Udinese over the weekend, and further changes are likely as AC Milan prepare to face Club Brugge. French full-back Theo Hernandez, who missed the weekend’s game due to a suspension in Serie A, will be back in contention and should slot into his usual left-back position.
On the injury front, Ismael Bennacer remains sidelined due to an ankle issue, while Alessandro Florenzi is out with an ACL injury, and Davide Calabria is unavailable due to a calf problem. However, there is some hope that recent Italy call-up Matteo Gabbia will be fit enough to make the squad after struggling with a muscular injury.
Up front, Alvaro Morata and Tammy Abraham are competing for the starting striker spot, though Fonseca has occasionally played them together. In attack, Rafael Leao could be recalled to the starting XI, while Samuel Chukwueze, Noah Okafor, and Christian Pulisic – who has been one of Milan’s standout performers this season – are all in contention for a spot in the final third.
Milan are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Mike Maignan will take his place in goal, with Theo Hernandez returning to his left-back role. Emerson Royal is likely to start at right-back, with Fikayo Tomori and Strahinja Pavlovic forming the central defensive partnership.
In midfield, Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders should hold the fort, while Christian Pulisic could start in the No.10 role, with Samuel Chukwueze on the right wing and Rafael Leao on the left. Alvaro Morata is set to lead the line upfront.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Emerson, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Chukwueze, Pulisic, Leao; Morata
Club Brugge
Club Brugge have some injury concerns ahead of their clash with AC Milan. Denmark international Andreas Skov Olsen is doubtful for the game due to a calf injury, while Gustaf Nilsson is also a doubt, struggling with an Achilles tendon issue. Casper Nielsen is another question mark, as he continues to work on his fitness.
Dutch full-back Bjorn Meijer has recently returned to full training after a long layoff due to knee surgery but is not expected to feature in the match. As a result, Belgium international Maxim De Cuyper, who scored a spectacular goal against Italy in the UEFA Nations League, is set to start on the left side of defence. Veteran goalkeeper Simon Mignolet will retain his position between the posts.
Club Brugge are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Simon Mignolet will start in goal, with Joaquin Seys at right-back, Jorne Spileers and Brandon Mechele forming the central defensive pairing, and Maxim De Cuyper starting at left-back.
In midfield, Hugo Vetlesen and Raphael Onyedika will likely anchor the team, while Michal Skoras, Hans Vanaken, and Christos Tzolis will play in the advanced roles behind lone striker Ferran Jutgla, who will lead the line for Brugge.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Seys, Spileers, Mechele, De Cuyper; Vetlesen, Onyedika; Skoras, Vanaken, Tzolis; Jutgla
Key Stats
- AC Milan and Club Brugge faced off in the 2003/04 UEFA Champions League group stage, with both games won 1-0 by the away side that campaign.
- Club Brugge have kept a clean sheet in each of their last two European visits to Milan, drawing 0-0 in the European Cup in October 1990 and winning 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League in October 2003.
- After losing each of their last two home games in the competition, AC Milan will be looking to avoid losing three consecutive home outings in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history.
- Club Brugge have not lost any of their last four away games in the group/league stage of the UEFA Champions League (W2 D2), keeping a clean sheet in all four matches. Their last such defeat came away to Paris Saint-Germain back in December 2021 (1-4).
- AC Milan have lost both of their games in the UEFA Champions League this season, losing at home against Liverpool (1-3) and away to Bayer Leverkusen (0-1). Only once previously have they lost their opening three matches of a single Champions League campaign, doing so in 2021/22 under Stefano Pioli.
Player to Watch
Rafael Leao
Rafael Leao has been AC Milan’s talisman in attack over recent seasons, and his pace, dribbling ability, and knack for scoring crucial goals make him a constant threat. With his ability to stretch defences and create opportunities both for himself and his teammates, Leao will be key to breaking down a resilient Club Brugge defence. If AC Milan are to turn around their faltering Champions League campaign, Leao’s influence in the final third could prove decisive.
Prediction
AC Milan 2-1 Club Brugge
Both teams are in need of a result, but the pressure on AC Milan to get their Champions League campaign back on track will be immense. With the home advantage and a strong Serie A form, Milan will be expected to dominate proceedings.
However, Club Brugge’s defensive solidity on the road cannot be underestimated. AC Milan will have to grind out a victory, and while Brugge have the potential to frustrate the Italian side, the hosts should have enough quality to edge out a narrow win at San Siro.
