PSG vs AC Milan: Can PSG overcome their shock loss to Newcastle when they face AC Milan?

PREVIEW: PSG vs AC Milan: Can PSG overcome their shock loss to Newcastle when they face AC Milan?

Mark Kinyanjui 13:45 - 25.10.2023

PSG would have been the favorites to top the ‘Group of Death’ which contained Newcastle United, AC Milan, and Borussia Dortmund, but after losing to Newcastle 4-0, the group has become open.

Paris Saint Germain will be hosting AC Milan in a high-stakes UEFA Champions League clash on Wednesday looking to keep pace with Newcastle United at the top of Group F on Wednesday.

PSG would have been the favorites to top the ‘Group of Death’ which contained Newcastle United, AC Milan, and Borussia Dortmund, but after losing to Newcastle 4-0, the group has become open.

Luis Enrique’s men are third on the Ligue 1 table, two points behind AS Monaco, while Milan are currently second in the Serie A table after suffering their second league defeat of the campaign to Juventus this past weekend.

The Rossoneri played two stalemates in the first two games in the UEFA Champions League, going two points behind Group F leaders Newcastle United.

Both sides were unable to beat each other the last time they faced off in the 2000/2001 season.

PSG Team News:

For PSG, Achraf Hakimi, Layvin Kurzawa, Ousmane Dembele, and Randal Kolo Muani are all available after returning from their respective suspensions.

Sergio Rico (head), Presnel Kimpembe (Achilles), Nuno Mendes (hamstring), Warren Zaire-Emery (ankle), and Marco Asensio (foot) remain on the sidelines.

AC Milan team news:

Like his counterpart in the PSG dugout, Stefano Pioli has a few pressing concerns hampering his preparations ahead of the trip to Parc des Princes. But the AC Milan boss does not have any players returning and will be without five first-team stars.

Ismael Bennacer is the most notable absentee, with the Algerian midfielder recovering from a knee injury. Bennacer accompanies Marco Sportiello (calf), Mattia Caldara (ankle), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (muscle injury), and Samuel Chukwueze (thigh) on the sidelines.

Predicted Line ups:

PSG

Gianluigi Donnarumma is an automatic pick between the sticks, with PSG lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him. Hakimi will return to the starting eleven, joining Marquinhos, Milan Skriniar, and Lucas Hernandez in the backline.

As for the midfield unit, Manuel Ugarte will look to keep things tight in the middle of the park, with Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz supporting him. But Ruiz will also look to provide the creative impetus from the middle of the park. Finally, Goncalo Ramos will spearhead the PSG attack, with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele completing the numbers in the attack.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Skriniar, Lucas Hernandez; Ruiz, Ugarte, Vitinha; Dembele, Ramos, Mbappe

AC Milan

Maignan will feature in the goal, with AC Milan lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him. The defensive unit should feature Davide Calabria, Malick Thiaw, Fikayo Tomori, and Theo Hernandez. Calabria and Hernandez will be the creative workhorses for the visiting side.

As for the midfield unit, Rade Krunic will play the anchor role, looking to keep things tight in the middle of the park. Yunus Musah and Tijjani Reijnders will be the two box-to-box midfielders, looking to provide the forward thrust. Finally, Olivier Giroud will spearhead the AC Milan attack against PSG, with Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic being the wide attackers.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Musah, Krunic, Reijnders; Pulisic, Giroud, Leao

PSG and AC Milan played out two draws in their last meetings in the UEFA Champions League.

PSG have won their last three matches against Italian opponents, having only won two of their previous 20 (D9 L9). On the other hand, AC Milan have only lost three of their 16 Champions League meetings with French outfits (W8 D5).

PSG have only lost one of their last 34 home games at this stage of the competition (W27 D6), suffering a 2-1 defeat against Manchester United in October 2020.

Only Manchester City (71.8%) have averaged a higher possession share than PSG (70.5%) in the Champions League this season, with Achraf Hakimi (186), Milan Skriniar (178), and Marquinhos (174) all ranking among the top 10 players for open-play passes heading into Matchday 3.

Since the start of 2017-18, Kylian Mbappe has had 46 goal involvements in the UEFA Champions League group stage (26 goals, 20 assists) – more than any other player.

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