Our prediction for this Champions League match:
Sparkles will be flying when Milan and Borussia Dortmund lock horns at Stadio San Siro in the Group F derby. The Rossoneri aim to build on a 2-1 win over PSG and the bookies see them as favourites to pick up all three points from Tuesday’s encounter. Rafael Leao has joined the likes of Noah Okafor, Marco Pellegrino, Pierre Kalulu, and Mattia Caldara in the recovery room, with Serbia international Luka Jovic likely to step up.
The Yellow-Blacks, on the other hand, did well to beat Newcastle United 2-0 in their last group game, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry against Milan, who have turned their Stadio San Siro into a real fortress. As for the away team, all Mateu Morey, Julien Duranville, Felix Nmecha, and goalkeeper Gregor Kobel are out of contention with injuries. In their last meeting in Milano, back in 2003, Borussia Dortmund defeated the Rossoneri 1-0, meaning that the Italians are hungry for revenge.
Highlighted Player (Marco Reus):
Marco Reus is a German football player who was born on 31 May, 1989. The pacey attacking midfielder, who is capable of playing as a winger as well, started his senior career at Rot Weiss Ahlen and it has to be noted that he made 43 league appearances for the club in lower leagues.
In 2009 he signed a four-year contract with Borussia M’gladbach and he scored his first Bundesliga goal against Mainz on 28 August, 2009. After impressing with the Fohlen in the 2011/2012 Bundesliga campaign, he joined Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season. He has been playing for the Millionaires ever since and he represents Germany on the international stage as well.
However, he was more than unfortunate to miss the 2014 FIFA World Cup with injury when Joachim Low’s team lifted the prestigious trophy. To make things even worse for Marco Reus, he was forced to withdraw from the Germany Euro 2016 squad as well (injury). The German ace has a contract with Borussia Dortmund which expires on 30 June, 2019.
Highlighted Team (Milan):
AC Milan are regarded as one of the biggest club in Italy. The Rossoneri compete in the Italian Serie A and they have won 18 domestic trophies. Speaking of the club’s European success, Milan have clinched seven Champions League (European Cup) trophies.
Milan were on the verge of beating Liverpool in the 2005 Champions League final, but the Premier League outfit came from three goals behind and eventually won the prestigious trophy on penalties. The Rossoneri play their home games at Stadio San Siro (80,018), the stadium that was opened in 1926. It is well known that Milan’s bitterest rivals are Inter and there have always been fireworks when the two local rivals face each other in the Derby della Madonnina.
Milan were founded in 1899 by a lace-maker from England named Herbert Kilpin and a businessman Alfred Edwards. Milan’s home kits are red and black and that is why the team’s nickname is Rossoneri (The Red and Blacks).
The likes of Alessandro Costacurta, Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Roberto Donadoni, Dejan Savicevic, Frank Rijkaard, Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Andrea Pirlo are the most famous footballers who have represented the San Siro outfit.