Group F is serving up another monumental battle in the Champions League on Wednesday with PSG vs Milan on display from Parc des Princes. This year’s group of death is all to play for and the hosts are looking to bounce back from their 4-1 thrashing away to Newcastle United. Meanwhile, Milan are searching for their first win in Europe this term.
Luis Enrique has had a mixed start to life as Paris Saint-Germain boss. However, his side head into this one on the back of successive Ligue 1 victories. Les Parisiens will be looking to find a bit of consistency here and earn their second Champions League triumph of the season. Pressure is on for the home side to get a result.
The Rossoneri will have to respond to their 1-0 home defeat to Juventus on Sunday as they aim to secure their first European triumph of the campaign. Milan have drawn both of their opening Champions League fixtures 0-0 and a result here would go a long way towards qualification. Check out our PSG vs Milan preview below.
PSG Preview
After losing a host of big names over the summer in Lionel Messi, Neymar, Marco Verratti and Sergio Ramos, PSG are in a transitional period right now. With Spanish boss Enrique now in charge too, the French club are certainly looking to kickstart a new era after their many years of Champions League failure. They haven’t gotten past the last 16 in either of their last two attempts and have reached the final four just twice in the past 11 seasons.
It hasn’t been perfect domestically for the capital club either since they currently sit in third-place and trail Ligue 1 leaders Monaco by two points. In fact, Les Parisians have dropped points in four of their nine league matches this term so they are a little fragile right now, especially after being thrashed 4-1 by Newcastle in their latest European outing. Goals have been very common for PSG this term and they have scored the second-most in the French top-flight thus far.
Nevertheless, PSG have already found a win in Europe this season after beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in Paris back in September. They have also won their last two heading into the clash with Milan, inflicting Rennes’ first loss of the season with a 3-1 triumph, before cruising to a 3-0 victory at home to Strasbourg at the weekend. It should be an intriguing spectacle on Wednesday night as Enrique looks set to continue with his possession-based philosophy.
One To Watch: Kylian Mbappe
It will come as no surprise that Kylian Mbappe is the one to watch for PSG. He is clearly their star man and looks back at his best after a four-game drought without a goal. Having scored three in two for France during the October international break, the 24-year-old got back on the scoresheet for his club on Saturday after scoring the opener from the penalty spot.
Milan Preview
Last season’s Champions League semi-finalists are searching for their first goal and first three points in Europe this term when they make the trip to France on Wednesday. Despite being in control against Newcastle in their Group F opener, they failed to take advantage and played out a 0-0 draw. The same scoreline was present in their second group match of the campaign too as Milan shared the points away to Dortmund.
A lack of goals will be a slight concern for the Italian outfit but they should be pleased by their defensive solidity in the Champions League thus far. That may be a little more difficult up against the attacking talents that PSG possess, especially when facing an in-form Mbappe.
The Rossoneri suffered a 1-0 defeat against Juventus at San Siro on Sunday too. A first-half red card for Malick Thiaw meant it was an uphill battle in the second as the Bianconeri ran out narrow winners. That was Milan’s first loss in six matches, though, and they have looked pretty solid on the whole this season. However, ill-discipline has hindered them of late and they have received a red card in successive matches heading into this one.
One To Watch: Christian Pulisic
The USA international has slotted in well since his summer move to Milan and has provided five goal contributions in nine Serie A appearances this term. Christian Pulisic also scored two for his country over the international break and has scored four goals over his last six appearances for both Milan and the USA.
Head-to-Head
History is on the Italian’s side for this one since PSG are yet to beat Milan across four competitive matches. The Rossoneri won both legs in the Champions League semi-final back in 1995, without conceding a goal too. The two teams also met during the 2000/01 edition of the tournament and played out two 1-1 draws in the second group stage.
PSG vs Milan Potential Lineups & Team News
PSG (4-3-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Milan Skriniar, Lucas Hernandez; Vitinha, Manuel Ugarte, Fabian Ruiz; Ousmane Dembele, Goncalo Ramos, Kylian Mbappe
After conceding four at St. James’ Park at the beginning of the month, it would be incredibly surprising if Enrique deployed a two-man midfield once more here. The Spaniard has reverted back to a three-man midfield in his last two league games to provide a bit more bulk in the middle of the park.
Since 17-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery missed out at the weekend due to ankle injury, he is not expected to feature here. The teenager will likely join Nuno Mendes, Presnel Kimpembe, Sergio Rico and Marco Asensio on the sidelines. That means that Fabian Ruiz could keep his spot in the midfield.
Milan (4-3-3): Mike Maignan; Davide Calabria, Malick Thiaw, Fikayo Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Rade Krunic, Yunus Musah, Tijjani Reijnders; Christian Pulisic, Olivier Giroud, Rafael Leao
Mike Maignan‘s return will be significant for the visitors here after he was suspended for the weekend’s match. Back-up ‘keeper Marco Sportiello remains absent due to a calf issue. Milan will also be without Ismael Bennacer, Samuel Chukwueze, Mattia Caldara and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all due to injury. Noah Okafor is not expected to travel as well.
Thiaw is expected to keep his spot next to Fikayo Tomori, despite being dismissed against the Old Lady. A midfield trio of Yunus Musah, Yacine Adli and Tijjani Reijnders is likely but Rade Krunic and Tommaso Pobega are also options.
PSG vs Milan Prediction
We are in for an interesting tactical battle on Wednesday. PSG will look to control the play and should have learned from their mistakes against Newcastle. Milan will look to retain a solid defensive structure and utilize the pace of Rafael Leao and Pulisic on the counter.
After a tough match-up on Sunday and coming up against Mbappe who is on the top of his game, PSG are favored for the victory, especially playing in front of their own fans.
PSG 2-1 Milan