AC Milan vs Girona

Stadio San Siro is the venue as AC Milan and Girona go head-to-head in their first-ever UEFA Champions League showdown. 

Milan’s eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions (W5, D3) ended abruptly last weekend as Juventus’ 2-0 triumph in Turin inflicted Sergio Conceicao’s first defeat in charge of ‘I Rossoneri’ (W3, D1). Back to the Champions League, where they’ve won their last four matches, Milan could make it five on the trot for only the third time in the club’s storied history. Adding to the home side’s confidence, they’ve won back-to-back European encounters against Spanish opposition, including a remarkable 3-1 victory at Real Madrid earlier in the league phase. However, Coneicao must defy history to help Milan close a one-point gap on eighth-placed Lille. Indeed, none of their last three permanent managers have won their first Champions League fixture in charge of the seven-time European champions.

Meanwhile, Girona’s hopes of making it out of the league/group phase in their maiden Champions League appearances are almost dead in the water after three consecutive defeats ‘to nil’ left them five points adrift of 24th-placed Dinamo Zagreb pre-round. Another loss without scoring would see the Catalan minnows become the first team to lose four successive Champions League games without a reply since Rapid Wien between 1996 and 2005. Unfortunately for head coach Michel, that’s a distinct possibility, considering his men have lost all three European away matches this season via an aggregate score of 6-0. Furthermore, the visitors have only won two of their last seven competitive outings (D1, L6), casting further doubt on their faint hopes of upsetting the apple cart.