AC Milan vs Borussia Dortmund preview
Borussia Dortmund stands tall at the summit of the table with a confident stride, boasting 7 points and eyeing a march into the coveted Round of 16. Their recent triumph over Newcastle has fueled their momentum, securing two consecutive wins. Julian Brandt emerges as a formidable force, with an impressive track record of six goals and six assists across all competitions. As Tuesday’s clash looms, the return of Emre Can to full fitness signals the inclusion of Germany’s number 9, Niclas Fülkrug, in the starting lineup.
In the midst of the challenging “group of death,” Dortmund holds a precarious one-point lead over the Parisians. Edin Terzić is fervently steering his team towards clinching a spot in the Round of 16, setting the stage for a crucial battle at San Siro.
AC Milan, buoyed by lingering hopes, seeks a victory that could propel them to the top spot in their table, contingent on Newcastle overcoming Paris Saint Germain. Despite occupying the third spot in Serie A, Milan grapples with regaining top form, hampered by injuries to key players such as Rafael Leão, Bennacer, and Simon Kjaer. Christian Pulisic, a familiar face for Dortmund, adds an intriguing element while Olivier Giroud prepares to face off against Dortmund at San Siro.
Dortmund’s defensive prowess shines through, having conceded just two goals in their four matches—making them the standout defense in this season’s group alongside Inter Milan and FC Barcelona. Star player Julian Brandt remains scorching hot, contributing to goals and assists in 11 of his 17 appearances this season. Meanwhile, Christian Pulisic, a former Dortmund stalwart, brings a wealth of experience, having notched 127 competitive appearances for the team with 19 goals and 26 assists.
AC Milan vs Borussia Dortmund Lineup
AC Milan lineup:
Despite Olivier Giroud’s 100th appearance being marred by a red card against Lecce, he is poised for a comeback in Stefano Poli’s starting lineup after serving his suspension. Unfortunately, the team will miss the presence of the other two forwards, Noah Okafor and Rafael Leão, who are both sidelined with hamstring injuries.
AC Milan Predicted lineup: Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Thiaw, Hernandez; Musah, Reijnders; Chukwueze, Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic; Giroud
Borussia Dortmund lineup:
The away team faces a setback as Felix Nmecha won’t be joining them due to a recent hip injury that kept him out of the German squad; he’s expected to make a comeback in December. Unfortunately, Karim Adeyemi and Sebastian Haller won’t be on the field either, as they’ve fallen ill and will miss the clash against the Rossoneri at San Siro. Jullien Duranville is grappling with a muscle injury, and the decision on his return is still pending. Mats Hummels will be stepping up to lead the defense.
Borussia Dortmund Predicted lineup: Kobel; Sule, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson; Can, Sabitzer; Reus, Brandt, Malen; Fullkrug
AC Milan vs Borussia Dortmund
In the looming showdown at San Siro, Dortmund has its eyes set on victory to secure a smooth passage to the next round, boasting a comfortable 10-point lead. The stakes are high for AC Milan, positioned third in the table with only two games remaining. A win at San Siro is imperative for them to catapult to the table’s summit. The home advantage adds an extra layer of challenge for Dortmund in what promises to be a fiercely contested battle. FootTheBall predicts a 2-1 triumph for Borussia Dortmund.
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