AC Milan return to UEFA Champions League (UCL) action aiming to shrug off the setback of a costly league loss away to Juventus this past weekend (2-0) that halted a sequence of eight competitive games without a loss (W5, D3). But under Sérgio Conceição for the first time in the tournament, Milan should be optimistic about rebounding and securing what would be their fifth consecutive UCL triumph.
In addition to collecting three pivotal points in the chase for automatic last-16 advancement, Milan will be eager to replicate the two earlier instances in which they achieved five-straight UCL victories, as they progressed to the tournament’s final in both campaigns. While there’s still a considerable way to go to duplicate that accomplishment, the Serie A side approach this clash having prevailed in each of their last two encounters against La Liga opposition.
Girona also journey after a domestic loss – falling 2-1 at home to Sevilla – which leaves them with just two wins in nine competitive fixtures (D1, L6). They now face a struggle to secure additional European football next season, concluding the latest La Liga round eighth in the standings. They’re also five points short of the 24 UCL knockout spots heading into this round, meaning it’s likely only honor is at stake in these closing two rounds.
The struggles for Girona in Europe’s premier competition are underscored by the reality that they’ve been defeated in each of their last three UCL fixtures without netting a single goal – another such result here would make them the first club to lose their first four such matches without scoring since SK Rapid Wien between 1996 and 2005.
Players to observe: Milan’s Tammy Abraham scored in each of his last two UCL outings for Milan and he could become only the second English player to score in three consecutively for a non-English team after Jude Bellingham. Defender Arnau Martinez has endured a disappointing UCL season, not appearing in either of Girona’s last two European games after a red card against Sturm Graz in November, but will hope to amend that here with the confidence of two goal contributions (G1, A1) in three La Liga fixtures.
Interesting stat: None of the last three Milan managers have won their debut UCL fixture in charge of the team.
