UEFA Champions League Preview: Milan vs Girona – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction | OneFootball

Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League encounter between Milan and Girona at the San Siro has all the makings of a ‘make or break’ clash for the home side. Under Sergio Conceicao for the first time in Europe’s most prestigious club competition, the hosts seek amends for another dismal Serie A result.

Days after overturning a second-half deficit to record their first league win under Conceicao against Como, Milan slipped to a disheartening 2-0 defeat at bitter rivals Juventus. Second-half blitz from Samuel Mbangula and Tim Weah condemned the Rossoneri to their first loss in nine competitive matches (W5, D3).

More importantly, Milan’s first league slump in Turin significantly derailed their hopes of returning into the top-four frame. Indeed, they now trail fourth-placed Lazio by eight points, suggesting Milan may not be here next season. Therefore, they will aim to go the distance this term, even though they must do it against the odds.

But first, they need to secure automatic Round-of-16 qualification. Anything other than victory against Girona will probably end such hopes, and the visitors won’t make it easy on Milan. Michel’s side wasted a halftime lead in a disappointing 2-1 home loss to Sevilla last weekend, further complicating their situation in La Liga.

They’ve slid to eighth in the standings, raising questions over their capacity to secure back-to-back European finishes for the first time in the club’s history. Things are not looking much better in the Champions League, where they languished five points adrift of the last playoff spot pre-round.

Match Preview

Milan

Despite their substantial domestic woes, Milan have fared outstandingly in the Champions League. Since a 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool on matchday two, they’ve won four consecutive league-phase fixtures, including a nerve-shredding 2-1 home triumph against Crvena Zvezda last time out.

As a result, Milan could win five Champions League games on the trot for only the third time in history. But it’s worth noting that they reached the grand final on both previous occasions. Therefore, beating Girona would be a good omen, and Conceicao’s men are seemingly in pole position to achieve that feat.

Milan have won their last two matches against Spanish opposition, including a remarkable 3-1 victory at Real Madrid earlier this season. That’s part of the reason they should be confident of scooping up an all-important three points. With only one separating them from eighth-placed Brest, it’s needless to highlight the significance of winning here.

Girona

Unlike their hosts, Girona’s chances of advancing into the knockout stages look bleak after losring five times in the first six rounds, including the last three on the spin. Alarmingly, they failed to get on the scoresheet in each fixture, casting doubt on their effort to defy an underwhelming run of only two wins from their last nine games (D1, L6).

Girona could make unwanted history at the San Siro unless they somehow summon last season’s strength. Another defeat ‘to nil’ would see the Catalan outfit become the first side in the Champions League to lose four successive matches without finding the net since  Rapid Wien between 1996 and 2005.

However, there’s a silver lining for the Spaniards. None of Milan’s last three permanent managers have won their first Champions League game in charge of the club. That’s probably the only encouragement Michel’s side will get ahead of this trip after losing all three away outings in the Champions League without a reply.

Team News

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 cards. But Milan can draw confidence from Christian Pulisic’s return from injury after missing Saturday’s trip to Juventus.

On the other hand, Girona will make this journey without Bojan Mijovski. The North Macedonian striker is out with an ankle problem. The same goes for full-back Miguel Gutierrez. However, Arnaut Danjuma – formerly linked with Milan – will make the matchday squad after overcoming illness.

Milan vs Girona Potential Starting 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

Though Milan’s form doesn’t inspire much optimism, they should win this on sheer willpower. Conceicao’s men boast far more experience in continental football than Girona, which could also make the difference come the final whistle.