The AC Milan Offside - All PostsThe Home for AC Milan Tifosihttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46633/acmilanoffside-fave.png2024-03-28T11:30:00+01:00http://acmilan.theoffside.com/rss/current/2024-03-28T11:30:00+01:002024-03-28T11:30:00+01:00AC Milan Players Impress Over International Break As Reijnders Snatches Headlines
<figure>
<img alt="International FriendlyThe Netherlands v Scotland" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AcErWqsUB9p2-OskslgBmT-KTNQ=/251x214:3331x2267/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73238221/2097709826.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by ANP via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Rossoner are looking to hit back hard after the break but can be happy with some positive displays.</p> <p id="Y233lo"><a href="https://acmilan.theoffside.com">AC Milan</a>’s players enjoyed a successful international break with a number of players making a big impact. The players contributed 9 goals and 3 assists winning 1 trophy.</p>
<p id="pv15HN"><strong>Tijjani Reijnders (Netherlands)</strong></p>
<ul><li id="nnxE2D">Reijnders is the top from the break as he bagged a goal and an assist in the Netherlands 4-0 win over Scotland. He got his first senior goal and it was a blistering long shot after which he also got his first national team assist with a splitting pass for Donyell Malen. He played about 60 minutes in a 2-1 loss to Germany too.</li></ul>
<p id="PJZElD"><strong>Kevin Zeroli (Italy Under-19)</strong></p>
<ul><li id="vGzLW7">Zeroli scored his first goal for the U19 in a 3-1 win over Scotland. Zeroli remained in the starting line up in the win over Czech Republic. Zeroli scored again in a 5-0 wein over Georgia for the final game.</li></ul>
<p id="l6zpZF"><strong>Olivier Giroud (France)</strong></p>
<ul><li id="4GZ1Ky">He was on the bench in the 2-0 loss to Germany but played 30 minutes. He made an impression in the second game as he came off the bench for Thuram and scored the winning goal against Chile with a brilliant close range sidefooted goal. </li></ul>
<p id="WJqqWA"><strong>Rafael Leão (Portugal)</strong></p>
<ul><li id="6NvQ1i">Leao played just one game against Sweden and scored a whopper for the opener in a 5-2 win for Portugal. He played just 45 minutes and was rested for the second game.</li></ul>
<p id="tjiAsj"><strong>Theo Hernández (France)</strong></p>
<ul><li id="sn85mG">The left back got a sublime assist for Kolo Muani in the 3-2 win over Chile but was on the bench in the loss to Germany playing under 30 minutes. </li></ul>
<p id="UEGXA2"><strong>Christian Pulisic (United States)</strong></p>
<ul><li id="jq1MZi">Pulisic played both games beating Jamaica 3-2 in the semis and Mexico 2-0 in the final. He didn’t have any goal contributions but lifted the CONCACAF Nations League trophy as captain with the <a href="https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/">USMNT</a> lifting the trophy for the third time in a row.</li></ul>
<p id="xIPzCl"><strong>Mike Maignan (France)</strong></p>
<ul><li id="NxxAkt">Benched for the France game but played 90 minutes in the 3-2 win over Chile.</li></ul>
<p id="y5AekN"><strong>Yunus Musah (United States)</strong></p>
<ul><li id="K1wMjA">Musah played 63 minutes in the win over Jamaica and played about 10 minutes in the final win over Mexico to lift the CONCACAF Nations League.</li></ul>
<p id="oxioml"><strong>Luka Jović (Serbia)</strong></p>
<ul><li id="hWcsEF">Jovic played about 18 minutes in a 4-0 loss to Russia. He got 45 minutes in the 1-0 win over Cyprus but did not manage to score. </li></ul>
<p id="JmlwId"><strong>Noah Okafor (Switzerland)</strong></p>
<ul><li id="WkQYLo">Started in the 0-0 draw with Denmark facing Kjaer. He played about 15 minutes in the 1-0 win over Ireland.</li></ul>
<p id="wcuL7D"><strong>Ismaël Bennacer (Algeria)</strong></p>
<ul><li id="hMvDxY">He withdrew from the national team duty with an injury.</li></ul>
<p id="Fs7qu0"><strong>Simon Kjær (Denmark)</strong></p>
<ul><li id="9TpytO">Started in the 0-0 draw with Switzerland facing Okafor. He was withdrawn with a minor injury.</li></ul>
<p id="3i6xVZ"><strong>Filippo Terracciano (Italy Under-20)</strong></p>
<ul><li id="mKctV0">Terracciano got a 45 minute run about in a 0-0 draw with Romania. Nothing much of note.</li></ul>
<p id="IUoGtD"><strong>Davide Bartesaghi (Italy Under-19)</strong></p>
<ul><li id="widNKN">He played in a win over Denmark, was benched against Czech Republic and played the full 90 minutes against Georgia.</li></ul>
<p id="iSyBD0"><strong>Jan-Carlo Simić (Serbia Under-19)</strong></p>
<ul><li id="S4hEKy">A tough break for him as he played in a 3-1 defeat to Denmark and 4-1 loss to Portugal. He came off the bench for 45 minutes in a 3-3 draw for Greece making it a very poor break for him after conceding heavily.</li></ul>
<h3 id="QCUogW"><strong>BONUS</strong></h3>
<p id="FvIPQk"><strong>Diego Sia (Italy Under-19)</strong></p>
<ul><li id="xm9Hqy">The Primavera starlet got a goal and an assist in the 5-0 win over Georgia.</li></ul>
<p id="42kE27"><strong>Francesco Camarda (Italy Under-17)</strong></p>
<ul><li id="RrK1gp">The 16 year old bagged a hattrick against Belgium but one goal was altered to an own goal. He also scored a penalty in the 2-2 draw with Finland. </li></ul>
https://acmilan.theoffside.com/2024/3/28/24109880/ac-milan-players-impress-over-international-break-reijnders-snatches-headlines-pulisic-giroud-leaoMuqaddam Malik2024-03-20T11:30:00+01:002024-03-20T11:30:00+01:00AC Milan Get 15 Call Ups For The International Break
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<img alt="Ghana v USMNT" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZYUwJKB0dLMcS0ZXhPIWx080KnU=/0x137:3807x2675/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73237490/1745331666.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Erin Chang/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Rossoneri will be hoping for no injuries and some good displays for the bench players.</p> <p id="7HeT5q"><a href="https://acmilan.theoffside.com">AC Milan</a> have noted on their <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.acmilan.com%2Fen%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Finternationals%2F2024-03-19%2Finternationals-the-rossoneri-called-up&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Facmilan.theoffside.com%2F2024%2F3%2F20%2F24109884%2Fac-milan-get-15-call-up-for-the-international-break-pulisic-leao-reijnders-musah-giroud-theo-maignan" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">website</a> that the club will send out fifteen players on international duty over the next week and a half. Below are their fixtures:</p>
<p id="1taCDC"><strong>Olivier Giroud, Theo Hernández, and Mike Maignan (France)</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="NxxAkt">France v Germany: Saturday 23 March, 20:00 CET, Lyon - Friendly</li>
<li id="dkp2G9">France v Chile: Tuesday 26 March, 21:00 CET, Marseille - Friendly</li>
</ul>
<p id="y5AekN"><strong>Yunus Musah and Christian Pulisic (United States)</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="jq1MZi">USA v Jamaica: Friday 22 March, 01:00 CET, Arlington - CONCACAF Nations League Semifinal</li>
<li id="Mt9gRv">USA v Panama/Mexico: Monday 25 March, Arlington - CONCACAF Nations League Final 1st or 3rd place</li>
</ul>
<p id="MIwq16"><strong>Ismaël Bennacer (Algeria)</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="hMvDxY">Algeria v Bolivia: Friday 22 March, 21:00 CET, Algiers - Friendly</li>
<li id="NBnOO1">Algeria v South Africa: Tuesday 26 March, 22:00 CET, Algiers - Friendly</li>
</ul>
<p id="Fs7qu0"><strong>Simon Kjær (Denmark)</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="L6v5a1">Denmark v Switzerland: Saturday 23 March, 20:00 CET, Copenhagen - Friendly</li>
<li id="9TpytO">Denmark v Faroe Islands: Tuesday 26 March, 20:15 CET, Brøndby - Friendly</li>
</ul>
<p id="Y233lo"><strong>Tijjani Reijnders (Netherlands)</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="nnxE2D">Netherlands v Scotland: Friday 22 March, 20:45 CET, Amsterdam - Friendly</li>
<li id="FIzRIG">Germany v Netherlands: Tuesday 26 March, 20:45 CET, Frankfurt - Friendly</li>
</ul>
<p id="WJqqWA"><strong>Rafael Leão (Portugal)</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="6NvQ1i">Portugal v Sweden: Thursday 21 March, 20:45 CET, Guimarães - Friendly</li>
<li id="eUXTLG">Slovenia v Portugal: Tuesday 26 March, 20:45 CET, Ljubljana - Friendly</li>
</ul>
<p id="oxioml"><strong>Luka Jović (Serbia)</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="hWcsEF">Russia v Serbia: Thursday 21 March, 20:00 CET, Moscow - Friendly</li>
<li id="TzGFK0">Cyprus v Serbia: Monday 25 March, 19:00 CET, Larnaca - Friendly</li>
</ul>
<p id="JmlwId"><strong>Noah Okafor (Switzerland)</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="gGf7qI">Denmark v Switzerland: Saturday 23 March, 20:00 CET, Copenhagen - Friendly</li>
<li id="I1jvst">Ireland v Switzerland: Tuesday 26 March, 20:45 CET, Dublin - Friendly</li>
</ul>
<p id="3i6xVZ"><strong>Filippo Terracciano (Italy Under-20)</strong></p>
<ul><li id="mKctV0">Romania v Italy: Thursday 21 March, 18:15 CET, Targoviste - Élite League</li></ul>
<p id="IUoGtD"><strong>Davide Bartesaghi and Kevin Zeroli (Italy Under-19)</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="vGzLW7">Italy v Scotland: Wednesday 20 March, 15:00 CET, Lignano Sabbiadoro - UEFA Euro U19 Qualifiers</li>
<li id="t36rP2">Czech Republic v Italy: Saturday 23 March, 16:30 CET, Udine - UEFA Euro U19 Qualifiers</li>
<li id="0mU6ZF">Georgia v Italy: Tuesday 26 March, 14:30 CET, Lignano Sabbiadoro - UEFA Euro U19 Qualifiers</li>
</ul>
<p id="iSyBD0"><strong>Jan-Carlo Simić (Serbia Under-19)</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="S4hEKy">Serbia v Denmark: Wednesday 20 March, 14:00 CET, Tábua (Portugal) - UEFA Euro U19 Qualifiers</li>
<li id="IWOWUT">Portugal v Serbia: Saturday 23 March, 21:00 CET, Aveiro - UEFA Euro U19 Qualifiers</li>
<li id="cWGLcL">Greece v Serbia: Tuesday 26 March, 14:00 CET, Tábua (Portugal) - UEFA Euro U19 Qualifiers</li>
</ul>
<p id="jHkIzM"></p>
https://acmilan.theoffside.com/2024/3/20/24109884/ac-milan-get-15-call-up-for-the-international-break-pulisic-leao-reijnders-musah-giroud-theo-maignanMuqaddam Malik2024-03-17T22:30:00+01:002024-03-17T22:30:00+01:00AC Milan Whoop Hellas Verona 3-1 As Chukwueze Fires Off A Whopper For His First Serie A Goal
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<img alt="Hellas Verona FC v AC Milan - Serie A TIM" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GUSWOIYNdaLeYFEe6SZDZ-88j40=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213696/2091639998.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A strong win that creates some room for Milan to breathe in second place and builds more confidence amongst the squad.</p> <p id="WbZO5C"><a href="https://acmilan.theoffside.com">AC Milan</a> travelled to face Hellas Verona at the Bentegodi and comfortably secured all three points in a convincing 3-1 victory. Stefano Pioli stuck with most of his starters and will be happy heading into the break as Milan have 5 wins in a row.</p>
<p id="U2dQ4l">Theo Hernandez opened the scoring with a brilliant solo effort and he grinded his way through multiple defenders holding onto the ball tackle after tackle before toe poking it over the keeper as he charged inward to goal from the by-line. It was a Theo classic.</p>
<p id="NxBSTZ">Chrisitian Pulisic doubled out lead just five minutes into the second half as Noah Okafor’s shot was parried and Pulisc just tapped in the rebound. Verona would equalise as Milan fall victim to yet another long shot as winger Noslin fired a rocket at Mike Maignan from outside the box and pulled one back for his team in the 64th minute.</p>
<p id="mofaGn">The icing on the cake came from right winger Samuel Chukwueze just five minutes after being subbed on. The Nigerian was at the edge of the box for the corner and a wayward clearance saw the ball drop and he walloped it past everyone for a stunning goal to cap off a wing and bag his first goal in Serie A.</p>
<p id="68m41E">The Rossoneri head into the break in second place and with a wider margin above <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com">Juventus</a> after their 0-0 draw with Genoa. Milan are now 3 points ahead with 9 games until the end of the season.</p>
https://acmilan.theoffside.com/2024/3/17/24104235/ac-milan-whoop-hellas-verona-3-1-samuel-chukwueze-fire-off-a-whopper-pulisic-first-serie-a-goal-theoMuqaddam Malik2024-03-17T13:30:00+01:002024-03-17T13:30:00+01:00Match Preview: Hellas Verona vs AC Milan H2H, Form, Players To Watch and Prediction
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<img alt="Stade Rennais FC v AC Milan: Knockout Round Play-offs Second Leg - UEFA Europa League 2023/24" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2APa8s1os2Ytdz8r5EA-3i1ZgtI=/0x0:4930x3287/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73212992/2031428112.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Milan have a golden opportunity but must not slip up as momentum is everything for the final ten games.</p> <p id="UwTrqp"><a href="https://acmilan.theoffside.com">AC Milan</a> will face Hellas Verona at the Bentegodi this afternoon with three crucial points on the line to hold onto second place into the international break. Milan are high on confidence but cannot slip up against the 15th placed side. </p>
<p id="doT0Mv"><strong>H2H</strong></p>
<p id="cnkr65">Milan 3-2 Verona</p>
<p id="boqnTu">Verona 1-3 Milan</p>
<p id="21nhdf">Verona 1-2 Milan</p>
<p id="lbEarq">Milan 3-1 Verona</p>
<p id="25LvdV">Milan 1-0 Verona</p>
<p id="mKsKNY"><strong>Form Guide (all competitions)</strong></p>
<p id="8Xg44s"><em>Verona: </em>D, D, L, W, W</p>
<p id="5auEnt"><em>Milan</em>: D, W, W, W, W</p>
<p id="ShXS0V"><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p>
<p id="taKiKb"><strong>Theo Hernandez</strong></p>
<p id="Rlqd8R">Theo seems to be having a quieter season than usually but has slowly accumulated lots of goal contributions with 4 goals and 10 assists across all competitions. His brilliant assist in the midweek is a reminder of what a serious threat he is bursting down that left wing. His chemistry with Leao is great and he is growing in influence in the second half of the season. He is yet to score nor provide an assist against Verona so this is a good chance for him to scratch off another team off his list. </p>
<p id="Qyima3"><strong>Ondrej Duda</strong></p>
<p id="4qGH4o">The midfielder joined from Cologne this summer and has been one of the few bright spots in a otherwise uninspiring squad. The Slovakian has 1 goal and 3 assists from the middle of the park but has very much been the engine of this squad. His is the chief disruptor of the opposition’ play and is the one kicking off the mover forward. Bennacer and Reijnders will need to keep him in check to keep their attack at bay. Milan has suffered at the hands of unassuming midfielders taking pop shots from distance so will aim not to fall victim again.</p>
<p id="J8mWU6"><strong>Ruben Loftus-Cheek</strong></p>
<p id="vThy3u">The former Chelsea midfielder is in blistering form and is on track for his best ever season in professional football. His 9 goals and 2 assists have been crucial to the Rossoneri’s second place in Serie A and their progression in the Europa League. His threat with the late runs into the box and the tap in at the back post, he operates as a second striker more than an attacking midfielder and is excelling in this role. RLC has arguably been a better performer in the UEL than Serie A given the minutes player but he needs to support the attack in the league as these small games are important to take all three points.</p>
<p id="w6J9WG"><strong>Prediction:</strong> Verona 1-2 Milan</p>
https://acmilan.theoffside.com/2024/3/17/24103418/match-preview-hellas-verona-v-ac-milan-h2h-form-players-watch-prediction-theo-hernandez-loftus-cheekMuqaddam Malik2024-03-17T11:30:00+01:002024-03-17T11:30:00+01:00AC Milan Aiming To Solidify Second Place With Trip To Face Hellas Verona As Maignan Dodges Injury
<figure>
<img alt="SS Lazio v AC Milan - Serie A TIM" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/s2gG9a0wvUI0R4lm-ozW6-2iHok=/3x0:3000x1998/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73212842/2048113729.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The side need keep it calm and not suffer a hangover from the big midweek win, all three points are crucial.</p> <p id="51dZAU"><a href="https://acmilan.theoffside.com">AC Milan</a> will be on the road again as they face Hellas Verona at the Bentegodi in an early kick off game today. Milan are coming off an important win over Slavia Praha in the Europa League and will be beaming with confidence.</p>
<p id="1Y7ymu">Verona sit in 15th place but are on a two game winning streak without conceding a goal and have lost just one game in their previous five. They are just 2 points above the relegation zone so will be fighting for their lives in every game in the final 10 of the season.</p>
<p id="mXY5QP">Mike Maignan’s injury on Thursday has turned out to be a minor one which is a big boost for Stefano Pioli this weekend and heading into the international break. Milan will be aiming to secure a victory and head into the break in second place ahead of <a href="https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com">Juventus</a>.</p>
<p id="L6IJMS">Milan will be going with a full strength team so no major rotations are expected but Luka Jovic may start over Olivier Giroud while Alessandro Florenzi and Matteo Gabbia may get starts.</p>
<p id="mgVOPT"><strong>Expected Line Up (4-2-3-1):</strong> Maignan; Calabria (Florenzi), Thiaw (Gabbia), Tomori, Hernandez; Bennacer, Reijnders; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Jovic (Giroud).</p>
https://acmilan.theoffside.com/2024/3/17/24103385/ac-milan-aiming-to-solidify-second-place-with-trip-face-hellas-verona-as-maignan-dodges-injury-leaoMuqaddam Malik2024-03-15T12:00:00+01:002024-03-15T12:00:00+01:00AC Milan Sweep Aside Slavia Praha In 3-1 Victory As Leao Returns To His Best
<figure>
<img alt="Slavia Praha v AC Milan: Round of 16 Second Leg - UEFA Europa League 2023/24" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MgsesED2ODy6ZO2GtiQz2QoV-p8=/0x356:3755x2859/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73208928/2084274009.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Horvath Tamas/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Rossoneri storm past Prague with a dominant 45 minute display before just managing the fixture, onto the next round!</p> <p id="cMafcp"><a href="https://acmilan.theoffside.com">AC Milan</a> were seemingly faced with a daunting task to beat Slavia Praha at the Fortuna Arena in Prague in the second leg of the Europa League round of 16. The hostile crowd must have been difficult for the Rossoneri to face but an early red card changed everything as their captain Tomas Holes stamped on Davide Calabria and was sent off.</p>
<p id="pTHNdr">Milan dispatched them off with a convincing 3-1 victory with all three goals for Milan coming in the first half and the tie looking closed off rather early. Slavia Praha were unbeaten at home in Europe and had not conceded a single goal in 5 UEL game there so far making the result a testament to Milan’s quality.</p>
<p id="tMf0I8">Christian Pulisic opened the scoring as he turned back on the defender and slotting into the far post after Rafael Leao simple pass to him in the box. Ruben Loftus-Cheek doubled our lead just three minutes later as a lovely team goal ended with a tap in for the Englishman after Theo Hernandez squared the ball across the face of goal. The crème de la crème was Leao stunning finish from outside the box curling into the top corner catching everyone out at the end of he first half, the stunning shot came from Pulisic’s change of wing and the shock left Stanek stunned.</p>
<p id="H8Xov2">The downside was yet another injury to Mike Maignan as he pulled up holding his calf and was withdrawn for Marco Sportiello in the first half. Milan conceded just before the end of the game but the win was already secue.</p>
<p id="t4s9ZA">Milan head into the quarter finals and will learn of their next opponents and the path to the final later today.</p>
https://acmilan.theoffside.com/2024/3/15/24101642/ac-milan-sweep-aside-slavia-praha-3-1-victory-rafael-leao-returns-to-his-best-pulisic-loftus-cheekMuqaddam Malik2024-03-14T17:00:00+01:002024-03-14T17:00:00+01:00Key Battles and Prediction: Slavia Praha vs AC Milan
<figure>
<img alt="Udinese Calcio v AC Milan - Serie A TIM" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Mi0gVVpPkQgaTHxQWPLUjuf-_tY=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73206898/1952737262.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Milan must score and score early otherwise we are in for a rollercoaster ride.</p> <p id="nyw1TR"><a href="https://acmilan.theoffside.com">AC Milan</a> have a big challenge ahead of them this evening as they need to beat the unbeaten Slavia Praha on home soil in the Europa League. Milan have a two goal advantage but it does not seem like enough given Praha have not conceded at home in the competition and look like they can score against us.</p>
<p id="Ctgyv7">Here are some key battles to look out for:</p>
<p id="EIhAVH"><strong>Key Battles</strong></p>
<p id="Ya7YG9"><em>Striker vs Goalkeeper</em></p>
<p id="RQDsoI"><strong>Olivier Giroud vs Jindrich Stanek</strong></p>
<p id="GAA7Y3">Stanek is a new goalkeeper for Slavia Praha but is standing on a big clean sheet record in Europe and has kept 2/2 in the league thus far. He may have conceded 4 goals at the San Siro but he was a standout performer and really kept his team in the overall tie. Giroud just opened his account in the UEL last week but seems up for the challenge and as one of the only players in the side to win a Europa League title, he needs to be a leader and be clinical in this game above all. We are not likely to have many chances early on as they pile on the pressure but we need to be lethal on the counter which means Giroud needs to hit the target every single time to make this work.</p>
<p id="LUxEoh"><em>Right winger vs Left centre back</em></p>
<p id="fxWphE"><strong>Christian Pulisic vs David Zima</strong></p>
<p id="zu7LLe">The American is establishing himself as the signing of the summer and is in red hot form with two goals in the previous two games including the winner in the 1-0 victory over Empoli on the weekend. He has a big role to play facing Zima again, he managed to find spaces in the previous tie but struggled to dip in from the right. The late runs into the box worked better as he managed to get a sight of goal while he was blocked at the edges of the pitch when he attempted to run in. Milan must break past the defence and spoil Slavia Praha’s perfect clean sheet record at the Fortuna Arena. El Hadji Malcik Diouf will be suspended for this game after his red card last week which allows Pulisic a better chance likely against Boril.</p>
<p id="5gDnp4"><em>Left attacking midfielder vs Central defensive midfielder</em></p>
<p id="DECC8C"><strong>David Doudera vs Tijjani Reijnders</strong></p>
<p id="8o9cZR">Doudera stunned us last week with that blistering volley after Reijnders poor clearance getting his side back into the game and giving some belief. Doudera is one of the better performers for Slavia Praha in the Europa League with 3 goals and 2 assists thus far. He also menaced us in the midfield with his pressing and very direct play running directly against the midfield and defence. Reijnders has an important task to disrupt Doudera and Provod from progressing further up the pithc. We have seen most of the players in the squad have quite a shot on them so we must cut them out and limit their space to operate.</p>
<p id="DUXE8e"><strong>Predictions</strong></p>
<p id="4ZyQpf">Giroud Winner</p>
<p id="wL2rkd">Pulisic Winner</p>
<p id="TOIiNx">Reijnders Winner</p>
https://acmilan.theoffside.com/2024/3/14/24100503/key-battles-and-prediction-slavia-praha-v-ac-milan-pulisic-leao-giroud-reijnders-loftus-cheek-tomoriMuqaddam Malik2024-03-14T15:00:00+01:002024-03-14T15:00:00+01:00Match Preview: Slavia Praha vs AC Milan H2H, Form, Players To Watch and Prediction
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<img alt="Frosinone Calcio v AC Milan - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9PwLlshvi5Mu7OcNsDhA5UZN-Jg=/0x0:2403x1602/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73206516/1980640105.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Milan just need one goal and Slavia Praha will be stunned so the attacking trio have a lot of weight to carry.</p> <p id="Dqzwtt"><a href="https://acmilan.theoffside.com">AC Milan</a> travel to face Slavia Praha in a difficult fixture at the impenetrable Fortuna Arena where Slavia Praha have not conceded nor dropped points in the Europa League thus far. Stefano Pioli has a big task on his hands and needs to send a message to the remaining teams heading into the quarters.</p>
<p id="UwTrqp"><strong>H2H</strong></p>
<p id="25LvdV">Milan 4-2 Praha</p>
<p id="mKsKNY"><strong>Form Guide (all competitions)</strong></p>
<p id="8Xg44s"><em>Praha: </em>W, L, D, L, W</p>
<p id="5auEnt"><em>Milan</em>: L, D, W, W, W</p>
<p id="ShXS0V"><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p>
<p id="taKiKb"><strong>Rafael Leao</strong></p>
<p id="Rlqd8R">The winger had an incredible game at the San Siro last week getting two crucial assists for Giroud and Pulisic. He needs to deliver exactly the same type of performance today. He has a big opportunity to spur the Rossoneri into the next round and this first goal will do it. Milan cannot concede first and fall onto the backfoot so a quick attacking start is crucial. Leao managed his game well against Vicek last time and has shown that he can beat the defenders so getting this in early will be key.</p>
<p id="Qyima3"><strong>Jindrich Stanek</strong></p>
<p id="4qGH4o">The shot stopper has an excellent game against us despite conceding four goals as it could have been quite a few more. The impressive and terrifying statistic is that Slavia Praha have not conceded at home - the Fortuna Arena - in the Europa League this season across five games in the qualifying and group stages. Milan have a big ask to beat Stanek on his home turf with a hostile crowd backing him. What’s even more stunning is that Stanek just joined in January has not conceded in the league yet and Slavia Praha’s has been rotating three keepers in Stanek, Mandous (kept the four group stage clean sheets) and the injured #1 Kolar (kept the two qualifying clean sheets).</p>
<p id="J8mWU6"><strong>Ruben Loftus-Cheek</strong></p>
<p id="vThy3u">The Englishman has been a baller in the Europa League with 3 goals in 3 games usually at crucial moments but all of these have come at the San Siro to this point. He is on track to make this his best ever season in his career and he has a crucial part of the Chelsea squad that won the Europa League in 2018/19. He needs to disrupt Slavia Praha further up the field and add pressure in the box with his late runs. He needs to be taking more shots and testing the keeper as much as he can to force some mistakes to get that goal.</p>
<p id="w6J9WG"><strong>Prediction:</strong> Praha 1-2 Milan</p>
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https://acmilan.theoffside.com/2024/3/14/24100499/match-preview-slavia-praha-vs-ac-milan-h2h-form-players-to-watch-prediction-rafael-leao-loftus-cheekMuqaddam Malik