AC Milan Vs Club Brugge: Rossoneri Turn On Opportunities At San Siro

Mike Peterson Maignan, AC Milan's last bench (photo: x @acmilan)

JAKARTA - After two consecutive defeats, AC Milan will try to revive their Champions League campaign against Club Brugge at the San Siro on Tuesday night, October 22.

The seven European champions have yet to win a single point in the Champions League group stage this season, while their opponent, Club Brugge, has recorded a narrow win over Sturm Graz in the previous match.

Paulo Fonseca's AC Milan had a tough start in the Champions League this season. After losing 1-3 to Liverpool at the San Siro, they lost 0-1 to Bayer Leverkusen again, with the winning goal scored by Victor Boniface in the second half.

This successive defeat put Milan in a difficult position, and they risk having three consecutive defeats in the Champions League group stage for the second time in their history. Fonseca's performance in European competition was also unsatisfactory, with just one win from his last nine Champions League games.

Even so, Milan won a narrow 1-0 win over Udinese in Serie A last weekend, thanks to a quick goal from Samu Chukwueze, despite having to play with 10 people after the red card that Tijjani Reijnders received. With this victory, Milan remained unbeaten in four Serie A home games this season.

Meanwhile, Club Brugge came with high confidence after a 1-0 win over Sturm Graz. They also have an impressive away record in the Champions League, unbeaten in their last four games in the competition without a single goal conceded. Club Brugge also has fond memories of San Siro, where they won 1-0 over Milan in 2003.

After a 2-1 win over Westerlo in the domestic league, Club Brugge is now in fourth place in the Belgian Pro League standings, four points behind leaders Genk. This week is important for Club Brugge, because after facing Milan, they will be competing against old rivals, Anderlecht.

Paulo Fonseca is likely to make some rotations for the match against Club Brugge. Theo Hernandez will return after being suspended in Serie A, while Ismael Bennacer, Alessandro Florenzi, and Davide Calabria are still sidelined due to injury. Matteo Gabbia may be able to appear if he recovers from muscle problems.

On the front lines, Alvaro Morata and Tammy Abraham will compete for the main place, while Rafael Leao, Samu Chukwueze, Noah Okafor, and Christian Pulisic have the opportunity to appear in the attacking sector.

In the Club Brugge camp, Andreas Skov Olsen is doubtful of a calf injury, while Gustaf Nilsson and Casper Nielsen are also likely absent. Bjorn Meijer has just returned to training after a knee injury, but is not yet expected to play. Maxim De Cuyper will fill left-back position, with Simon Mignolet under the bar.

Player Composition Forecast

AC Milan (4-2-3-1):Maignan; Emerson, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Chukwueze, Pulisic, Leao; Morata.

Club Brugge (4-2-3-1):Mignolet; Seys, Spileers, Mechele, De Cuyper; Vetlesen, Onyedika; Skoras, Vanaken, Tzolis; Jutgla.