Coach Stefano Pioli's men have one job tonight against Porto. The AC Milan team will do their best in trying to secure a win away from home, at none other than one of Europe's iconic stadiums: Estadio do Dragao.
Life for Milan in the Champions League so far has been very difficult and complicated. Two losses in two games are never a good start despite the good display of character and skills. Now, the red and black faithful must switch gear and try to bring home 3 points.
AC Milan suffers absences...
The matchday 3 in the Champions League group B will be difficult for Il Diavolo club because, even though some important names were recovered such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Davide Calabria, there are other big absences. In fact, Mike Maignan, Brahim Diaz and Theo Hernandez are out. The two outfield players are still positive to Covid-19 as we speak and have not been called-up, therefore. The French goalkeeper had a surgery on the left-wrist and will have to rest for some time. Ante Rebic is not called up as well due to an injury picked up in the game versus Hellas Verona.
Stefano Pioli, however, has much quality in his team and can hope that his players are well-focused and organised. On the other hand, Porto, despite suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of Liverpool 1-5 at home, will not be an easy side.
The Portuguese giants will want to redeem themselves and will fight as hard as they can to get a win. In their recent cup game, they thrashed Sintrense 5-0 and before that, there was a victory against Pacos Ferreira 2-1. Experienced tactician Sérgio Conceição will hope that his team will build on the two wins and enter the pitch tonight with focus and determination.
For Porto, many players can make the difference, there is the attacking midfielder, Otavio, and Jesus Corona in particular. These two are known for their pace and agility. Corona, is a talented mexican winger who likes to cut inside and dribble past his opponents and deliver a good cross or pass to an open teammate. He will most likely play as a full-back tonight but he will still drive forward and may leave some space behind. He will certainly cause problems on the left-flank of AC Milan. He needs to be tightly marked that is why help from the wingers is required.
Porto are in tough spot in the Champions League, they are third in the group with only 1 point after drawing against Atlético Madrid in matchday 1. They have the pressure of having to perform well and win. That is why it is expected that they will try to attack first and attempt to take on an early lead on the score sheet.
There is one player who may not start for Porto: Chancel Mbemba. The 27-year-old centre-back from Democratic Republic of Congo had been injured and is not expected to start from the first minute tonight.
As for the Rossoneri, given that Porto may start on attacking the defence early in the game, Pioli could instruct his team to play a sort of a quick game-style that would result in counter-attacks as Rafael Leao and Alexis Saelemaekers like to receive the ball in space and attack the depth. Or, there is also a high a chance that Milan does not wait for Porto's players and start pressing high. The tools required for either game plans are available for the Rossoneri.
The players to watch out for in this Champions League fixture are Toni Martinez, 24-year-old Spanish striker of Porto and Rafael Leao, Portuguese 22-year-old explosive left-winger of AC Milan.
The choices of the game should look like the following for Porto:
4-4-2: Marchesin; Corona, Pepe, Marcano, Sanusi; Otavio, Oliveira, Uribe, Diaz; Martinez, Taremi
As for Milan, here is the likely lineup:
4-2-3-1: Tatarusanu; Kalulu, Kjaer, Tomori, Calabria; Bennacer, Tonali; Saelemaekers, Krunic, Leao; Giroud.
