Milan travel to the Czech Republic to tackle Slavia Prague for the second leg up on aggregate 4-2. While Milan are in a good position to advance, the feistiness Slavia Prague showed in the first leg proves this will not be a walk in the park. Milan better come prepared…
MATCHDAY
LAST FIVE
MILAN: WWWDL
SLAVIA PRAGUE: WLDLW
FORMATION
MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Hernandez, Tomori, Gabbia, Calabria (C); Musah, Adli; Leão, RLC, Pulisic; Giroud
SLAVIA PRAGUE (4-2-3-1): Stanek; Zmrzly, Zima, Ogbu, Vlcek; Dorley, Holes (C); Wallem, Provod, Doudera; Chytil
TIME/LOCATION
TIME: 1:45pm EST/5:45pm GMT
PLACE: Fortuna Arena, Praha, Czechia
WHERE TO WATCH:
Paramount + has your Champions League action in the US (apparently ViX too), DAZN in Canada. Here’s a link where you might have some luck tracking down your viewing options and of course, check your local listings.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
SLAVIA PRAGUE
SLAVIA PRAGUE
In the first leg, Slavia Prague were aggressive getting forward and getting guys into dangerous positions. Even going down a man in the 26th minute didn’t stop them. Now, they gave up 4 goals and Milan could’ve had more with better finishing but clearly this team is going to get forward and I can only assume what we saw at the San Siro will be that but on steroids today.
Slavia Prague’s right winger was the most dangerous man on the pitch for them all game and yes, he was the one who had the cracker of a goal for their first (some luck involved, sure, but it was still a good effort). The other good attacking player on the day was their CAM Provod. He seemed to move the ball around well so I would be wary of him for a full 90 minutes and with 11 guys on the pitch.
All of this was fine for Slavia Prague but the defense was their weak point and Milan would be wise to attack-attack-attack these guys early. Any defense hung out to dry the way these guys were will obviously have a tough day, so I won’t disparage them. Still, the approach DID leave them out to dry in the first game and you can be damn sure they’re going to be gunning for goals in this one as well. Sting them early, suck the life out of them.
MILAN
MILAN
Milan scored goals in the first one, and while Slavia Prague obviously helped the cause by going down a man, Milan was dangerous up until that point and goals were coming. The goals Milan gave up was a little disheartening, although the first one was a wonder-strike and hard to be too mad at that. But the second one was inexcusable by both the defense and by Maignan getting beat near-post…again.
All of this being said, I expect Milan to close this out and with a fully-rested Leão there really shouldn’t be any excuse. The predicted lineup has Kjær and Gabbia starting, which is fine if Pioli plans to sit back some and try to sting them on the counter. But if Pioli plays his usual aggressive high line, then I’m going to be concerned that Slavia Prague might tie this thing up and then it’s a slog from there on out. So, if that’s the pairing then cool, just don’t play as aggressively forward. Leave room for Leão, Theo, Pulisic, and RLC burn them on the counter (while protecting the lead).
If that isn’t the plan then play Tomori and Thiaw and really go after the throat. Put this to bed early. Oh, have I mentioned that a few times?…scoring early to kill it off?…well YES, this is what I want to see. The last thing these guys need at home is confidence.
PREDICTION TIME
I think Milan wins but it could get messy like the first leg. I’m thinking 3-2 or something like that as all signs point to goals being scored in this one.
BETTING IDEAS
Lisi says: *Just win FFS. Leão cooks again. Goal or assist. I’d go the same for Giroud. 3-1 Milan because we can’t keep a clean sheet
Let’s go close this out.
Forza Milan
gillis
*Update: lineups have been updated.
Milan starts Tomori instead of Kjær, which I like, but the double-pivot will be interesting. I love Musah, and think he’s generally good in the double-pivot but he hasn’t played much with Adli there and that’s what concerns me. Something I’ll be watching closely…
Looks like Slavia Prague moved the starting LW from the first leg to LB and one of the starting CBs (Holes) to the double-pivot. Interesting.