AC Milan will face Chelsea against tonight hoping to do far better than they did in last week’s 3-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge, with Group E in the Champions League now wide open.
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La Gazzetta dello Sport have highlighted five key things that must work in Milan’s favour if they are to have a chance at winning against the Blues, starting with intensity. It is one of Stefano Pioli’s main demands and it was seen for about 20 minutes in London before fading, a bit like happened with Juventus at San Siro. There will complicated moments against an opponent with such quality, but the intensity must remain.
While the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Raheem Sterling are the big names in the attack, Mason Mount is key to how Potter’s team operates and Milan must stop him. The England international moved everywhere in the first game without Milan being able to keep tabs on him, and he got two assists at the weeend as well.
The third point is the formation, which could be a 4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1 like against Juventus. Tonali, Bennacer and one between Krunic and Pobega will take the field, and having that balance in the middle will also help in neutralising the threat of Ben Chilwell and Reece James who are Chelsea’s wing-backs.
The left flank will be simply vital for Milan, as it is the one area where the team are very much among the elite in the Champions League. Theo Hernandez is back and he will look to support Rafael Leao’s darting runs that were enough to create panic at Stamford Bridge, while the chemistry of the duo and Theo’s defensive qualities will play a role off the ball too.
Finally, the fan factor. At Stamford Bridge the Rossoneri supporters made a great impression and with over 75,000 present tonight – as there was against Juve – the home advantage factor must be stretched to the maximum.
