01 November 2021, 17:12 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The early kick-off encounter between AC Milan and FC Porto ushers in another round of UEFA Champions League fixtures on the second day of UCL Matchweek 4. This reverse fixture between the Italian and the Portuguese sides is slated for 18:45 (GMT+1) on Wednesday, November 3, at the San Siro. Referee Clément Turpin (FRA) will be the man in the middle while François Letexier (FRA) will be the VAR.
Preview Milan Champions League, Nov 3, 2021
Preview AC Milan look to salvage what is left of their European campaign, and remain in urgent need of a win on Matchday 4 when they take on Porto. Back on the home front, Milan remains a dominant force, following a recent 2-1 win over Jose Mourinho’s Roma at the weekend. Zlatan (25’) scored his 400th career league goal in that game to become the fourth oldest scorer in Serie A history after Alessandro Costacurta, Silvio Piola, and Pietro Vierchowod, - aged 40 years & 28 days. Back on continental soil, Milan picked up a defeat in the reverse encounter against Porto on Matchday 3. Both sides had walked away with a goalless draw at the break, but a single strike from Luis Diaz (65’) separated the two at full-time. After three defeats in as many UEFA Champions League games this season, Milan is firmly rooted at the bottom of Group B with no points and a G.D. of -3 after 0W, 0D, & 3L. This is the first time the seven-time UEFA Champions League title winners have lost all three opening games in the competition. However, the Italians have three victories in a row, over five games across all competitions: WLWWW. The recent run of form could leave Pioli hoping for a remarkable win over Porto in what would be a lifeline for his side’s UCL campaign. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Zlatan at the top is expected on Wednesday. Having failed to feature in the UEFA Champions League this season, the Swede was taken off early in the 57th minute of the game against Roma, in a bid to avoid any late injuries. Having recently extended his contract until 2024, Simo Kjaer put in a solid performance over the weekend. The Dane is expected to be available for Pioli on Wednesday. Florenzi and Mike Maignan are both ruled out, while Rebic remains in doubt. Brahim Diaz is expected to return to the starting line-up having missed the reverse fixture due to illness.
Preview Porto Champions League, Nov 3, 2021
Preview FC Porto defeated Boavista 4-1 over the weekend on the home front in the Primeira Liga. On continental soil, the Portuguese outfit sits in 3rd place, having 4 points alongside second-placed Atletico Madrid in Group B after 1W, 1D & 1L. Porto has only one defeat in five games across all competitions: WWWLW, and Sérgio Conceição will be aiming for the win in order to overtake ATM, who have a difficult fixture against Liverpool later in the evening. The conventional 4—4—2 formation with Toni Martínez and the Iranian center-forward, Mehdi Taremi, in attack is expected once again.