Champions League is back and Milan have a big opportunity to get a result and start to make their case for the knockout rounds and maybe even a spot in the top 8 when all is said and done. But first things first, get a result vs a very good Bundesliga side.
Let’s dive in!
LAST FIVE
LEVERKUSEN: DWWWL
MILAN: WWLWD
FORMATIONS
LEVERKUSEN (3-4-2-1): Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapié; Frimpong, Xhaka, Garcia, Grimaldo; Adli, Wirtz; Boniface
MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Royal, Gabbia, Tomori, Hernández (C); Fofana, Reijnders; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leão; Abraham
TIME/LOCATION
TIME: 3pm EST/8pm GMT
PLACE: BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany
WHERE TO WATCH:
Paramount + has your Champions League action in the US. Check your local listings.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
LEVERKUSEN
LEVERKUSEN
Everyone knows Leverkusen went undefeated last season, until the Europa League final vs Atalanta, to shockingly pull off the German double. Xabi Alonso rightly deserved all the praise he has and continues to receive, especially after deciding to stay in what was certainly going to be a step down from the amazing 2023-24 season. Sure enough, Leverkusen lost their 2nd league game and while not struggling by any means, a regression this season is surely in the cards. Will this benefit Milan?…
PLAYERS TO WATCH
ATTACK
FLORIAN WIRTZ and VICTOR BONIFACE are the main scorers for Leverkusen, leading their attack both this season and last. Preferring a 3-man backline means they overload their midfield and GRANIT XHAKA is the main string-puller, all 4 guys can distribute and dangerous chances can come from any of them.
DEFENSE
JONATHAN TAH anchors the backline and is usually flanked by EDMOND TAPSOBA and PIERO HINCAPIÉ. JEREMIE FRIMPONG and ALEX GRIMALDO are more wingbacks but sit in the midfield and are very good about getting involved in their buildup. So be on the lookout there. Overall though, the team doesn’t concede a lot so Milan is going to have to work.
MILAN
MILAN
Fonseca is starting roughly the same lineup from the last few games and they’ve all started to play well as a group. One change, more out of necessity, is that Morata is going to start on the bench as he’s not 100% fit. This worries me because RLC is coming in to replace him. If Fonseca sticks more to the 4-4-2 we’ve been seeing then RLC is going to have to press like Morata did AND come back more to receive the ball and these are all things I haven’t really seen him do much. This concerns me.
If Fonseca decides to move Reijnders more advanced, while giving up the size that Morata and RLC have, I think Reijnders with his good motor, can put in the work and has the vision and distribution skills to thrive more in that role than RLC. So I’ll definitely be watching for that.
Leão and Theo will need to do their thing and Pulisic should continue to do well especially if Leverkusen decide to shade more towards Leão/Theo. Finally on the offensive side, I really think Abraham has a good game and could be the key in freeing up space so the wingers can move and also find teammates making runs.
Defensively, Leverkusen’s left attacking side is the stronger side and that corresponds to Royal’s side. Royal has been better but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried or thinking about this. Gabbia gets another deserving start and a finding-his-form Tomori starts next to him. I’m good with this.
PREDICTION TIME
On the road vs a tough team…I’m going with a 2-2 draw.
BETTING IDEAS
Micahel Lisi: I think we see a cagey game here by both sides. 0-0 at the half. Leão gets one after the half and Leverkusen even it up late. We will wonder what could have been but ultimately a draw here is just fine. With the new format we could easily drop today’s game and still be in a very good position to advance.
Let’s do this!
Forza Milan
gillis