18 October 2021, 16:40 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The UEFA Champions League Group B fixture, FC Porto vs. AC Milan, kicks off at 20:00 (GMT+1) on Tuesday, October 19, at the Estádio do Dragão. This will be the first meeting between both sides in 18 years.
Preview Porto Champions League, Oct 19, 2021
Preview FC Porto defeated S.U. Sintrense, 5-0 in Friday’s third-round Taça de Portugal fixture. However, on UCL Matchday 2, Porto’s 25th UEFA Champions League group campaign suffered a huge blow in the shape of a 5-1 defeat to Liverpool on home soil. The huge defeat remains Porto's only loss in five games across all competitions: WWLWW. It leaves Porto in third place in Group B with 1 point after 0W, 1D & 1L while having an unimpressive goal difference of -4. Sérgio Conceição aims to avoid defeat against Milan to keep Porto’s chances of playing continental football open. The club has lost seven of their last 16 games in the UEFA Champions League proper (7W, 2D, & 7L) but has an 87%-win rate on home soil, having picked up those 7 victories in 8 at the Estádio do Dragão. The conventional 4—4—2 formation with Toni Martínez and the Iranian center-forward, Mehdi Taremi, forming the two-pronged attack could be seen once again. Pepe returned to action in the 2-1 win against Paços de Ferreira in the Portuguese Primeira Liga after an injury lay-off which left him unavailable against Liverpool. He is expected to return to the starting lineup for this game against AC Milan on Tuesday.
Preview Milan Champions League, Oct 19, 2021
Preview AC Milan remains the only side in the group without a point, following back-to-back defeats in the UEFA Champions League despite spirited efforts. On Matchday 2, questionable officiating saw Milan reduced to 10-men following Kessie's red card in the 29th minute. Nine minutes before the red, Rafael Leão (20’) had Milan in the lead. However, a remarkable goal from Antoine Griezmann (84’) restored parity with minutes left on the clock. Late into stoppage time, Luis Suarez (90’+7 P.) struck from the penalty spot after the VAR spotted a handball in the box. Milan are at the bottom of Group B with a G.D. of -2 after 0W, 0D, & 2L. On Saturday, Milan picked up a hard-fought 3-2 win over Verona after a two-goal deficit at the break, leaving the club with four victories in five games across all competitions: WWLWW. Milan have never lost in Portugal, having seven draws and one victory in eight appearances (1W, 7D, & 0L). A 4—2—3—1 formation with several new faces in the line-up is expected on Tuesday following the injury crisis at the club. Kjaer and Florenzi remain doubtful for this game, alongside Rebic, who picked up a muscular injury in the game against Verona. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan is ruled out for weeks following keyhole surgery, while Tiemoue Bakayoko and Junior Messias are nowhere near fit to play. Brahim Diaz and Theo Hernandez remain in isolation following positive coronavirus tests.