AC Milan hosts Girona in a crucial Champions League match at San Siro on January 23, 2025 (01:30 AM IST). Milan, coached by Sérgio Conceição, aims to regain momentum, with top scorer Christian Pulisic leading the attack despite injuries. Their recent signing of Kyle Walker strengthens their defence, making them favourites.
Girona, ranked 30th and managed by Miguel Angel Sanchez, desperately needs a win to maintain Champions League hopes. Expected light rain could favour fast-paced play. Both teams enter this high-stakes match determined to deliver a memorable performance.
AC Milan vs Girona Prediction & Betting Tip
| AC Milan vs Girona Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| AC Milan -1.00 in 1st half (AH) | 3.7 |
AC Milan vs Girona Odds
| AC Milan vs Girona Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| AC Milan Win | 1.57 |
| Draw | 4.22 |
| Girona Win | 5.67 |
The odds favor AC Milan in this match-up, with 1.57 for them to win at home. Milan’s form and historic strength make them the favorites. Girona’s odds at 5.67 illustrate their uphill battle at the daunting San Siro. A draw, at 4.22, suggests Girona could put up a fight.
AC Milan vs Girona Live Streaming, UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League match between AC Milan vs Girona will be streamed live on SonyLiv. The match kicks off at 1:30 AM IST.
AC Milan Team Analysis
AC Milan Recent Performance
AC Milan is approaching this game with determination, piling four wins in their last five games. They recently fell 2-0 to Juventus in Serie A but are positioned 15th and have won bly against tough teams like Inter Milan. They’ve scored an average of 2.00 goals per Champions League game, hitting the net 12 times recently. This shows their b offensive play.
| Home Team | Away Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Juventus | AC Milan | 2 – 0 |
| Como | AC Milan | 1 – 2 |
| AC Milan | Cagliari | 1 – 1 |
| Inter | AC Milan | 2 – 3 |
| Juventus | AC Milan | 1 – 2 |
Even when not holding the ball as much, Milan still scores often, showing b counter-attacking skills. This adaptable strategy will be key against Girona as Milan looks to use their strengths for a Champions League comeback.
AC Milan Key Players
Christian Pulisic is a critical player in Milan’s attack, but a calf injury puts his involvement in doubt. Rafael Leão is crucial from the left wing, relying on his speed and creativity to breach defenses. Theo Hernandez’s ability to rush forward and defend boosts Milan’s threats.
At the front, Álvaro Morata is expected to bring his valuable experience as the main striker. The addition of Kyle Walker reinforces their defense. Mike Maignan’s skills in goal, paired with Emerson Royal’s dual abilities, make Milan tough at both ends. These players are essential for Sérgio Conceição as he deals with injuries that test Milan’s squad depth.
AC Milan Suspensions & Injuries
Dealing with injuries is a continuous worry for Milan in important matches. Alessandro Florenzi will be out until April with a ligament injury, impacting defense rotation. Similar issues with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Samuel Chukwueze weaken midfield options. There are doubts about Christian Pulisic and Noah Okafor’s availability, necessitating flexibility in the squad.
| Player | Injury/Suspension | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Alessandro Florenzi | Cruciate ligament injury | Early April 2025 |
| Ruben Loftus-Cheek | Hamstring Injury | Early February 2025 |
| Noah Okafor | Personal reasons | Doubtful |
| Samuel Chukwueze | Thigh injury | Early February 2025 |
| Christian Pulisic | Calf Injury | Doubtful |
| Malick Thiaw | Muscle injury | Early February 2025 |
Milan’s management remains proactive, addressing challenges, focusing on backup players who can fill crucial roles, preserving their competitive stance in Serie A and the Champions League.
AC Milan Tactics and Formation
Under Sérgio Conceição, Milan shows tactical versatility, often using a flexible 4-2-3-1 formation. This strategy maximizes both their defense and attack. Fast counter-attacks are key, seen in the play of wide players like Rafael Leão and Yunus Musah who keep the width and spark attacks. Ismaël Bennacer and Youssouf Fofana control the midfield, setting the pace and linking transitions.
The defense is solid, led by Pavlovic and Gabbia, with Maignan providing security in goal. Pulisic and Leão introduce unpredictability up front, a tactic fitting well with Conceição’s formation. This strategic setup not only enhances their offense but forces Girona to prepare for varied attacking threats.
Girona Team Analysis
Girona Recent Performance
Girona is in a challenging phase, with four losses out of five recent matches. Despite a narrow win over Deportivo Alaves, their form in La Liga is inconsistent, with 9 goals conceded and a struggle for defensive stability.
| Home Team | Away Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Girona | Sevilla | 1 – 2 |
| Deportivo Alaves | Girona | 0 – 1 |
| Girona | Real Valladolid | 3 – 0 |
| Mallorca | Girona | 2 – 1 |
| Girona | Liverpool | 0 – 1 |
Miguel Angel Sanchez must revamp tactics and focus on key players, as Girona works through tough times. With only one win in six Champions League games, they face a dual challenge—winning and hoping for favorable outcomes elsewhere to maintain their Champions League hopes.
Girona Key Players
Miguel Gutierrez is a standout for Girona, leading their attack as others underperform. Viktor Tsygankov operates on the wings, adding creativity and assaulting energy to their play. For wider play, Abel Ruiz and Bryan Gil are essential, aiding to crack Milan’s defensive setup.
Yangel Herrera’s return provides much-needed midfield stability, aiding transitions between attack and defense. In the goal, Paulo Gazzaniga’s role is critical, as he must fend off Milan’s attacking efforts. Support from Donny van de Beek adds to midfield structure, empowering Girona as they face b odds.
Girona Suspensions & Injuries
Girona has their injury concerns, notably the loss of Bojan Miovski to a hamstring injury. His return in February is expected to diversify their attack, emphasizing adaptability amid current challenges.
| Player | Injury/Suspension | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Bojan Miovski | Hamstring Injury | Early February 2025 |
Coach Miguel Angel Sanchez must instill resilience, optimizing tactical flexibility to offset Miovski’s absence and make the most of available resources as they aim to realign their goals.
Girona Tactics and Formation
Girona usually lines up in a compact 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on defensive solidity and fast counter-attacks. Miguel Angel Sanchez stresses the importance of closing down spaces and maintaining defensive tightness to counter Milan’s aggressive attacks. By using the skills of wide players like Bryan Gil and Tsygankov, they ensure a broader tactical reach.
In midfield, Oriol Romeu and Yangel Herrera play crucial roles in connecting defense with the attack, enabling smooth transitions. Abel Ruiz, the main striker, faces the task of seizing any chances against Milan’s defense. Tactical orientation is vital as they aim to disrupt Milan’s gameplay and exploit set-pieces for breakthroughs.
AC Milan vs Girona Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| No previous data available. |
Venue and Weather
Weather forecasts predict a cool evening with temperatures around 6.22°C and light rain. A wet pitch might favor teams skilled in quick ball movement like AC Milan. Both teams will need to adjust their play to account for slippery conditions, maintaining precision. This unique blend of football magic, weather, and competition sets the stage for a thrilling spectacle at San Siro.
