AC Milan vs Borussia Dortmund: Match preview, team news, predicted line-up, head-to-head, result, venue, date, time, where to watch

AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund look to up their ante in one penultimate push in the next stage of UEFA Champions League as they prepare to lock horns in a crunch fixture at Group Stage. Both sides are in contention for Round of 16 stage, as things have started to spice up in the Group of Death.

A clash of the titans

AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund- two of the biggest names in the domestic circuit would look to gear up for Europe’s elite, as they would be looking for a place in Round of 16, as all four teams in Group F are in sight for the next stage. The Italian giants, who have played some exceptional football in Serie A, would look to maintain their impressive streak that they are holding in the domestic circuit, where they are placed on the third spot. Owing to the likes of legendary stars in the form of Giroud and Leao, coupled by a 15-year old prodigy in the form of Francesco Camarda, who made a Serie A milestone after becoming the youngest ever to feature for the senior side after racking some serious numbers in the Academy level, AC Milan are indeed looking as a threat for Dortmund who are trying hard too for the next round. Rossoneris were on the brink of being shown the exit door after three games, mustering zero victories, but an unexpected 2-1 victory against Ligue 1 giants PSG have split Group F wide open, with chances for all four teams to look forward to the next stage.

On the other hand, Borussia would not be hoping any further mishap to their Round of 16 chances, as they have cemented their top spot after two consecutive victories against UEFA Champions League comeback side Newcastle United. The Magpies have returned to the European elite after a hiatus of 20 years, with Dortmund cashing in on their ‘evident’ inexperience of playing at the top. Although the Black and Yellow have showcased some mettle in Bundesliga, blowing hot and cold, but they have given themselves a fair chance of entering the fore of Round of 16, as they would be getting more opportunity of strengthening their case to go to the next round if they muster a victory against Rossoneris today.

The reverse fixture between the two sides ended in a meagre stalemate, which, although it was dominated by Borussia, they could not get past the defensive exuberance of Mike Maignan.

AC Milan vs Borussia Dortmund: team news

As the teams take guard for a place in the Round of 16, we would look into the teams which might be fielded by their respective tacticians. AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli has plethora of issues which need to be addressed before they pounce upon Borussia, as he would be without the services of seven first-team players. But, banking on home support, they might get the advantage, in spite of having less experienced players.

Sportiello, Pellegrino, Caldara, Kalulu, Leao, Okafor will be forced on the sidelines owing to their respective injuries. To add salt to their wound, USA star Yunus Musah would also be unavailable for serving a suspension. But, the good news for Rossoneris would be the return of star striker Giroud, who would be marshalling the attack, after missing out a game against Lecce due to suspension. They might feel Leao’s absence, with the Portuguese superstar racking up numbers on chances created. Musah’s absence might open the gate of some automatic picks in the form of Loftus-Cheek, Krunic and Reijnders. The trifecta would be assisted by the defensive quartet of Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori and Hernandez.

As for Borussia Dortmund, Edin Terzic would look to field some of his strongest players, as he does not have to deal with injury concerns unlike his counterpart. Nmecha and Duranville would be the injury-absentees, but Adeyemi and Haller could be nursing some important bouts of injuries, which might make them unavailable for selection for the crunch match. He can start with first-choice striker in the form of Fullkrug, assisted by Reus, Malen and Brandt. Former United player Sabitzer and Can would look to form the pivot, helping Sule, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson and Hummels on their defensive duties.

AC Milan vs Borussia Dortmund: predicted line-up

AC Milan: Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Hernandez; Loftus-Cheek, Krunic, Reijnders; Chukwueze, Giroud, Pulisic

Borussia Dortmund: Kobel; Sule, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson; Can, Sabitzer; Reus, Brandt, Malen; Fullkrug

AC Milan vs Borussia Dortmund: predicted result

AC Milan 2-3 Borussia Dortmund

AC Milan vs Borussia Dortmund: head-to-head

AC Milan victories: 2

Borussia Dortmund victories: 1

Draws: 2

Last game: Borussia Dortmund 0-0 AC Milan

AC Milan vs Borussia Dortmund: Venue, Date, Time, Where to Watch

Venue: Giuseppe Meazza

Date: 29th November, 2023

Time: 01:30 AM (Indian Standard Time)

Where to Watch: Sony Sports Network