AC Milan will aim to stay within the top eight of the UEFA Champions League standings, while Dinamo Zagreb must win to stand a chance of making it to the playoffs.
Fabio Cannavaro found out the difficulties of facing third-placed Arsenal in his first UEFA Champions League outing with new club Dinamo Zagreb, who face AC Milan up next. The hosts had put the visitors on the edge right from the get-go, as Declan Rice’s opener within two minutes set the tone for the game.
Zagreb eventually ended the game with a 3-0 loss while having no shots on target. The result has put pressure on Cannavaro as well as put their chances of qualifying for the playoffs on the brink. While they entered the previous matchday in 24th place, the defeat has seen them drop down two places. So, only a win in their final game against AC Milan will give them any chance of finishing in the top 24.
Meanwhile, Sergio Conceicao continued to enjoy a fruitful start to his reign at AC Milan, which has seen him lose just once in seven games across all competitions. It also includes a Supercoppa Italiana victory, while they are also well placed in the Champions League top-eight.
A solitary Rafael Leao strike in the first half against Girona proved enough for AC Milan to secure three points and climb into the top eight. They are currently a point ahead of fellow Italian rivals Atalanta in the standings. Conceicao will target another victory, which will be necessary to see through their automatic qualification into the round of 16.
A loss or any dropped points will be terminal for Milan, although they are guaranteed to play in the playoffs nonetheless. Yet, Conceicao will want three points, and given the pressure their opponents are, Milan should be seen as a comfortable winner in Prague.
Team News & Tactics
Dinamo Zagreb
Fabio Cannavaro is not expected to make too many changes to the side that lost to Arsenal, although there are some concerns about injuries and suspension. Lukas Kacavenda picked up a yellow card at the Emirates that will see him miss out against AC Milan. Bruno Petkovic and Petar Sucic are the current absentees from the squad, while Wilfried Kanga is ineligible for this clash.
Cannavaro will continue with a 4-1-4-1 format, with Arber Hoxha sitting as the lone midfielder at the base. Marko Pjaca and Josip Misic will play a bit further ahead in the midfield, while Luka Stojkovic and Martin Baturina will feature in the wide areas for Zagreb.
Sandro Kulenovic, who is one short of Dinamo Zagreb’s club record in the UEFA Champions League for goals in a single season, will lead the line for the home side against Milan.
Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Nevistic; Ristovski, Mmaee, Torrente, Franjic; Hoxha; Stojkovic, Pjaca, Misic, Baturina; Kulenovic
AC Milan
The Rossoneri fans will have wanted to see new arrival Kyle Walker almost immediately. However, the right-back is ineligible for now and should make his UEFA Champions League bow for Milan in the knockout stages. Sergio Conceicao would have wanted the loanee to feature, given the missing players in that right-back slot.
Alessandro Florenzi is a long-term absentee, while Emerson Royal is injured, and Davide Calabria remains suspended for this clash. Hence, Filippo Terracciano could be brought in to deputise in the role, as Conceicao will select his best available backline for this crucial game.
Malick Thiaw is another injury-enforced absence Conceicao must contend without, and Matteo Gabbia and Stahinja Pavlovic will feature in central defence, while Theo Hernandez keeps his spot at left-back.
Conceicao could utilise Yunus Musah in the midfield trifecta alongside Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders. Alvaro Morata, Christian Pulisic, and Rafael Leao will be the likeliest choice for the front three against Dinamo Zagreb.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Maignan; Terracciano, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Musah, Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Morata, Leao
Key Stats
- Dinamo Zagreb have lost the last three UEFA Champions League games
- Dinamo Zagreb have not scored a goal in their last three Champions League games.
- AC Milan have scored at least three goals in their last four matches against Dinamo Zagreb in all competitions.
- AC Milan have won their last six matches against Dinamo Zagreb in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Rafael Leao
AC Milan need a solid presence and personality in games like these, and there is no bigger player on the pitch than Leao. The Portuguese forward showed character in the last game by scoring the winner against Girona, and Sergio Conceicao will look to the forward for another such performance.
Milan are one step closer to achieving top-eight success and will need a win to guarantee their place in the automatic positions. Hence, players like Leao need to be on top of their game and secure the position for the team, as this will be a crucial game for the Rossoneri.
Prediction
Dinamo Zagreb 0-2 AC Milan
Dinamo Zagreb are not in the best of form and have struggled in front of the goal over the last few games in the UEFA Champions League. While this competition is still not a lost cause for Cannavaro, they will be the team under more pressure to get a win than their visitors.
Meanwhile, AC Milan will come into this one with full confidence to collect all three points, as Conceicao will want a comfortable performance and a win. The Rossoneri are indeed the overwhelming favourites to take the win away from home and book their place into the top eight, as any dropped points could prove catastrophic.
