Borussia Dortmund vs AC Milan: Match prediction, probable line-ups, head-to-head, venue, date, time, where to watch
It’s time for the UEFA Champions League to kickoff this week as Italian giants AC Milan and German heavyweights Borussia Dortmund lock horns as both of these sides would look to make a mark in the coveted tournament. AC Milan comes on the back of a frustrating 0-0 stalemate against surprise English side Newcastle United, where Dortmund would look to accumulate first points on the trot after a 0-2 defeat in the hands of PSG.
A clash of titans in the group of death
AC Milan has been one of the top teams in the Italian league since years. After many years, last season, they had reached the semifinals of UEFA Champions League, eventually losing out to crosstown rivals Inter Milan. This season, the Rossoneris have been top notch in the domestic circuit, standing tied with their arch rivals Inter Milan, on top, with 18 points from 7 games. Owing to the likes of top stars like Rafael Leao and latest recruit from Chelsea Christian Pulisic, coupled with the strict vigil of Stefano Pioli, the Rossoneris would love to present a challenge to their opponents. Their only loss this season came against Inter in Derby Della Madonnina, and since then, they are rising to be a potent workforce who would present a tough fight in every competition.
In their last game in Champions League few weeks back, they had wasted a flurry of opportunities against Newcastle, thus settling for a monotonous stalemate against Newcastle. It marked the return for AC Milan’s former star Sandro Tonali as the Italian has joined the Magpies this season, plying for the Premier League giants. The Milanese giants got more than 20 shots on goal but failed to make a mark ahead of Newcastle keeper Nick Pope’s heroics, whose exemplary efforts of thwarting attacks made Milan bow down before him.
On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund, whose attack has been depleted after the departure of their star playmaker Jude Bellingham who is plying his trade for Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid, is coming on the back of a 0-2 defeat in the hands of Ligue 1 champions PSG. A woeful Niklas Sule handball led Mbappe to open the scoring in last game as the French superstar slotted the ball home, after former Dortmund right-back Hakimi rubbed salt to their wounds by doubling the lead as Terzic’s men had to ponder over lots of questions to make a comeback in the tournament. They would go neck-to-neck with the Milanese as they would be eager to get their first points and get off the mark with a classy victory.
Borussia Dortmund vs AC Milan: team news
With a mouth-watering clash on the cards, both teams would look to field their strongest eleven in order to get the better of the other. For the German runners up, who lost out the Bundesliga title in the last minutes to serial champions Bayern Munich, Algerian left-back Bensebaini would look for a place in the starting line-up, as he would be given the nod ahead of Mateu Morey and Meunier, who are nursing their injuries in knee and hamstring, respectively.
Former Manchester United playmaker Marcel Sabitzer might be expected to get few minutes on the block, as he would be making a comeback, with Terzic hoping for his introduction on field, but Salih Ozcan could be used as a starter. Experienced former Liverpool star Emre Can can be in the starting eleven, and it might be expected that youngster Adeyemi would be making his start ahead of seasoned Marco Reus.
For AC Milan, former Chelsea boy Ruben Loftus-Cheek sustained an abdominal injury against Lazio in the last game, and is expected to miss remaining games before the international break. His absence would be a headache for Stefano Pioli as he is without the services of Bennacer and Krunic, who are recuperating from their injuries. So, American star Yunus Musah would be expected to join the trident of Reijnders and Pobega.
Mattia Caldara and Pierre Kalulu is also included in the infirmary, thus settling for former Dortmund guy Christian Pulisic to spearhead the attack along with Giroud and Leao.
Borussia Dortmund vs AC Milan: predicted line-up
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Ozcan, Can, Brandt; Malen, Fullkrug, Adeyemi
AC Milan: Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Thiaw, Hernandez; Musah, Pobega; Reijnders; Pulisic, Giroud, Leao
Borussia Dortmund vs AC Milan: predicted score
Borussia Dortmund 2-1 AC Milan
Borussia Dortmund vs AC Milan: head-to-head
Borussia Dortmund victories: 1
AC Milan victories: 2
Draws: 1
Last meeting: Borussia Dortmund 1-0 AC Milan (UEFA Champions League, 2002/03)
Borussia Dortmund vs AC Milan: Venue, Date, Time, Where to watch
Venue: Signal Iduna Park
Date: 5th October
Time: 12:30 AM (Indian Standard Time)
Where to Watch: Sony Sports Network
