AC Milan vs Atletico Madrid: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
AC Milan and Atletico Madrid face off on Tuesday as both sides look for their first win in the Champions League this season.
Group B is arguably the toughest in Europe’s elite club competition this campaign, with Liverpool and Porto taking the other two spots, and neither side will want to be cut adrift even at this early stage.
Milan were beaten in an entertaining 3-2 loss at Anfield despite taking the lead with two quick goals just before half time, while Atleti were held to a goalless draw with ten-man Porto.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of this game.
When is it? Tuesday 28 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? San Siro
TV channel/live stream? BT Sport ESPN (UK), fuboTV (US)
Referee? Cuneyt Cakir
VAR? Abdulkadir Bitigen
Zlatan Ibrahimovic isn’t expected to be fit in time for Tuesday night, with an Achilles tendon injury keeping the 39-year-old striker sidelined. Centre-back Simon Kjaer may recover in time, but Tiemoue Bakayoko, Rade Krunic and Alessandro Florenzi are definitely out.
Daniel Maldini scored on his full Serie A debut against Spezia but may drop down to the bench if Stefano Pioli opts for more experienced options.
Stefan Savic is suspended, so Jose Gimenez is expected to step into a back three alongside Felipe and Mario Hermoso. Thomas Lemar will be absent.
Atleti have struggled for goals in recent weeks, scoring just twice in their last four games. The defeat to Alaves at the weekend was particularly disappointing and a reshuffle up front may be required. Antoine Griezmann is yet to score since returning to the club and may drop out of the starting XI.
AC Milan: Maignan; Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori, Hernandez; Bennacer, Kessie; Saelemaekers, Diaz, Rebic; Giroud.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Gimenez, Felipe, Hermoso; Trippier, Llorente, Koke, De Paul, Carrasco; Suarez, Felix.
The two sides haven’t done battle too often in Europe, though they did meet in the 2013/14 Champions League.
Atleti made light work of the Rossoneri over two legs in the last 16, with Diego Costa’s 83rd minute effort settling the first game away before a 4-1 win at the Vicente Calderon Stadium secured a 5-1 aggregate victory.
Milan are yet to lose in Serie A this season but another defeat in the Champions League would do real damage to their hopes of qualifying for the knockout rounds. Atleti, meanwhile, suffered a dispiriting defeat to Alaves and are now three points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
Tuesday should be an interesting affair. Milan may sense blood in the water with their opponents in such terrible form, but Diego Simeone’s side often pull out a result when they need one in Europe, so they may secure another point at San Siro.
Prediction: AC Milan 2-2 Atletico Madrid
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