Champions League | League Stage

Nov 26, 2024 at 5.45pm UK

Stadion Tehelne pole

Slovan Bratislavavs.AC Milan

Match preview

Milan had a slow start to their latest Champions League campaign, losing to Liverpool and then Bayer Leverkusen. However, they have since upped their game, most notably leaving Spain with all three points after a memorable night at the Bernabeu.

Despite their mixed performance in the league, the Rossoneri came out on top against Real Madrid with a well-deserved 3-1 win, with Álvaro Morata scoring the second goal against his former club.

The seven-time European champions had previously beaten Club Brugge by the same scoreline at San Siro, so they're now in the playoff places with four games to go – and just three points shy of the all-important top eight.

In the course of those two wins, Milan managed to score as many goals as they had in their previous 10 matches in Europe's top club competition. Their inconsistency was neatly summed up by two recent outings in Serie A. On Saturday, Paulo Fonseca's side played out a dull 0-0 draw versus Juventus, producing just one shot on target. Just before the international break, they led twice in Cagliari but ultimately had to settle for a 3-3 draw.

The Rossoneri have only won eight of their last 25 games, and they've only got 19 points after 12 league games, which is their worst over the past five seasons. It looks like they'll only be in the knockout competition for the silverware.

Before Tuesday's game, Slovan Bratislava have played Milan once before. They lost both legs of a qualifying tie for the first edition of the Champions League back in 1992.

That particular match saw a whole host of well-known players make their mark. Paolo Maldini scored the only goal in Slovakia, while Zvonimir Boban, Frank Rijkaard, Marco Simone and Jean-Pierre Papin all found the net at San Siro. That Milan side, which included a number of high-profile players, went on to reach the final.

It's been 32 years in the making, but Slovan are finally making their debut in the Champions League proper. It's been a tough start though, with the team currently one of five yet to win a single point.

After losing 4-1 at home to Dinamo Zagreb at the start of November, Vladimir Weiss's side are currently at the bottom of the standings with the worst goal difference (-13) and only two goals scored.

It's looking unlikely that Slovan will make a comeback during the second half of the league campaign. After hosting Milan, they still have to play Atlético Madrid and Bayern Munich, who have scored a lot of goals, before the end of the year.

While Slovan have lost all four of their Champions League matches since making it through the qualifiers, they're still doing well at home. They've only lost once in 17 matches this season, winning 14.

The Sky Blues, who won their 30th league title last season, returned from the international break with a 1-1 draw against Košice. They're now up against a much tougher opponent.

Recent Performance

Slovan Bratislava Champions League form:DWLLLL

Slovan Bratislava form (all competitions):WWWLWD

AC Milan Champions League form:LLWW

AC Milan form (all competitions):WLWWDD

Team News

Matteo Gabbia is back in action for Milan after a thigh injury kept him out of the last few games. The team will have almost all of their squad available in Bratislava.

The only players definitely out of action are Ismael Bennacer and Alessandro Florenzi, who are both long-term absentees. Luka Jovic is still struggling with a groin issue, though.

While Álvaro Morata, Tammy Abraham and the 16-year-old Francesco Camarda have all played in the lone striker's role, Morata is tipped to start on Tuesday.

He'll have the support of Rafael Leao, who shone in Madrid and has completed more dribbles than any other player in the Champions League this season (20). Meanwhile, dynamic midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is Milan's top scorer in the league phase with three goals.

Meanwhile, Slovan's main threat will come from Tigran Barseghyan, who has scored 11 goals in 14 1. Liga games this season, including the equaliser in Košice, and David Strelec.

He's scored five in his last five club appearances and also netted the only goal as Slovakia defeated Estonia in the UEFA Nations League last week.

The hosts have been given a boost by the return of two key players following the international break. Austrian defender Kevin Wimmer has recovered from a muscular injury and veteran midfielder Juraj Kucka – who was on Milan's books between 2015 and 2017 – played the second half on Friday.

Possible starting lineup

Slovan Bratislava possible starting lineup:

Takac; Bajric, Kashia, Wimmer; Blackman, Ignatenko, Savvidis, Mak; Barseghyan, Tolic; Strelec

AC Milan possible starting lineup:

Maignan; Emerson, Thiaw, Gabbia, Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Chukwueze, Pulisic, Leao; Morata