Chelsea FC vs AC Milan LIVE! Champions League match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction today
A tremendous Champions League night awaits Chelsea as AC Milan visits Stamford Bridge. The Blues have only earned one point from their first two group-stage matches, putting them at the bottom of Group E and requiring a speedy turnaround in the back-to-back meeting against the Serie A club.
Graham Potter earned his first win as Chelsea manager over the weekend, as the Blues came from behind to defeat Crystal Palace. His team were held by RB Salzburg in west London before the international break, putting even more pressure on themselves in their bid to reach the knockout stages.
Milan top the ground as it stands with four points, and have lost just once all season across all competitions. Former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud will be hoping to fire his side to a positive result that would leave them in real control of the group.
Olivier Giroud is looking forward to his Chelsea reunion as he prepares to face his former side in the Champions League.
The Frenchman spent three years in west London, following his move from Arsenal, before leaving the club last summer to join AC Milan. He scored 11 league goals in his first season at the club, helping them to the Serie A title.
He now returns to England with Milan to face the Blues, with back-to-back fixtures between the two sides set to place a decisive role in what is an incredibly tight Group E.
“Yes of course,” Giroud responded when asked if he had told his team-mates what to expect at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s matchday programme has an interesting interview with Wesley Fofana where he reveals that his sister failed a trial at Chelsea a few years before he joined the club in a £70million deal from Leicester City.
He also added: “It’s crazy for me. Every day I say, ‘thank you, thank you for my life’ because it’s crazy that I play with Koulibaly and Thiago Silva.
“I used to play FIFA with Koulibaly and Thiago Silva and now I’m training with Thiago Silva just to my right, and I learn every day from them both. It’s crazy, but life is incredible.”
Back three for Chelsea, with Koulibaly getting his chance alongside Fofana and Silva. Big news is that Kepa keeps his place in goal despite Mendy’s return to the squad.
Chilwell preferred to Cucurella at wing-back, with Aubameyang and Sterling the main threats up front as expected.
For AC Milan, still a strong side despite their injury problems. Giroud and Tomori start on their returns to Stamford Bridge.
AC Milan team news
Starting XI: Tatarusanu, Dest, Kalulu, Tomori, Ballo-Toure, Bennacer, Tonali, Krunic, De Ketelaere, Leao, Giroud
Subs: Mirante, Jungdal, Diaz, Rebic, Origi, Pobega, Gabbia, Gala, Coubis
Chelsea team news
Starting XI: Kepa, Fofana, Silva, Koulibaly, James, Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Chilwell, Mount, Aubameyang, Sterling
Subs: Bettinelli, Mendy; Chalobah, Azpilicueta, Cucurella; Zakaria, Jorginho, Gallagher; Ziyech, Broja, Pulisic, Havertz
Potter used two distinct systems in his first two games as Chelsea manager. Last night, Milan coach Stefano Pioli stated that he is guessing how the Blues would set up, but that having observed Potter’s Brighton sides in the past helps.
Chelsea could use a back-four or a back-five, or a combination of the two. Potter’s formation will determine which team is selected and how many forwards play.
Tiemoue Bakayoko is still on loan from Chelsea to AC Milan for the second and final year of his contract.
He has yet to appear for the Italian national team this season, and there’s a good reason for that.
