Porto vs Milan: Will Rossoneri finally get long-awaited UCL win?
Milan will be looking to finally get their Champions League campaign up and running when they travel to face Porto on Tuesday evening. The Rossoneri come into this match having battled to all three points against Hellas Verona, during which they had to come from two goals down to earn a resounding 3-2 victory. That result sees them in second spot, just two points behind league leaders Napoli.
Indeed, while Milan have had a good spell so far in their domestic campaign, the same can’t be said for the Champions League. Back in European club football’s premier competition for the first time in eight seasons, it’s been a real struggle for the club who’ve won this trophy seven times in the past – but none since 2007. So far, it’s been two games, and two losses, with the Diavolo opening proceedings with a 3-2 loss to Liverpool and losing 2-1 to Atletico Madrid in their first home tie. Ironically, it was the same Atleti, who were under the leadership of current manager Diego Simeone, who ended Milan’s Champions League aspirations in the round of 16 during the 2013/14 season.
The 2-1 loss last month also comes at a high price, as key midfielder Franck Kessie was sent off, meaning that the Ivorian won’t be eligible to feature here. That comes as a big blow for Stefano Pioli, who will have to make do without a slew of players due to injuries and illness. Mike Maignan, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Alessandro Florenzi and Ante Rebic are all out, with Maignan’s absence especially being difficult given Milan’s lack of available goalkeepers. Meanwhile, Antonio Mirante, brought in as an emergency signing on a free transfer, isn’t an option just yet as he needs to gain match fitness, while both Theo Hernandez and Brahim Diaz have contracted COVID-19.
With zero points, it’s win or nothing for Milan as they take on Porto. Fortunately for the Rossoneri, perhaps, Porto haven’t had the best time in the Champions League, either. Although the Dragons are doing well enough in the Primeira Liga, where they also sit in second spot, they got a draw against Atletico before being humiliated by Liverpool on matchday two. That sees them in third spot, with just one point from two games, and given that Milan are playing them back to back on matchdays three and four, if the Rossoneri can get their act together they just may have a shot at potentially qualifying for the round of 16 – especially with two two sides Atletico and Liverpool playing each other over the next two matchdays.
It will be easier said than done, though, as Porto will have the same thing in mind, and are desperate not to be dumped out of the group stage for what would be the first time since the 2015/16 season. But Milan will be also looking to avoid an unwanted metric of their own – losing back to back away games in European competition for the first time since 2012.
Will Milan, despite their worrying injury list, be able to finally get up and running in their first Champions League campaign in eight years? Or will Porto be the latest side to heap more troubles on them in their European quest?
