The UEFA Champions League match between AC Milan and Girona, scheduled for January 22, 2025, presents a compelling narrative for both clubs involved. AC Milan, currently positioned eighth in Serie A, is striving to secure automatic qualification for the knockout stage after a series of recent victories . Conversely, Girona has experienced significant struggles in their campaign, having lost five of their six group-stage matches. This stark contrast in form sets the stage for what could be a decisive encounter for Milan's aspirations in Europe.
Days after overturning a second-half deficit to record their first league win under Conceicao against Como, Milan slipped to a disheartening 2-0 defeat at bitter rivals Juventus. Second-half blitz from Samuel Mbangula and Tim Weah condemned the Rossoneri to their first loss in nine competitive matches (W5, D3).
More importantly, Milan’s first league slump in Turin significantly derailed their hopes of returning into the top-four frame. Indeed, they now trail fourth-placed Lazio by eight points, suggesting Milan may not be here next season. Therefore, they will aim to go the distance this term, even though they must do it against the odds.
Girona, meanwhile, languishes in 30th place with just three points from six outings. After a fairytale run last season, the Catalan outfit has been brought back to reality this year. A summer exodus of key players left significant gaps in their squad, and their replacements have struggled to meet the high bar set by their predecessors. While Girona remains a competitive side in La Liga, where they currently sit eighth, their performances in Europe suggest they are not yet equipped for Champions League football.
AC Milan possible starting lineup: Maignan; Emerson, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Bennacer, Fofana; Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao; Morata
Girona possible starting lineup: Gazzaniga; Martinez, D. Lopez, Krejci, Blind; Solis, Martin; Tsygankov, Van de Beek, Gil; Ruiz
In terms of team news and lineups, AC Milan is expected to field a strong side despite some key injuries. Notable players such as Christian Pulisic are likely to start on the bench due to fitness concerns . The predicted lineup includes Mike Maignan as goalkeeper, supported by defenders Emerson Palmieri and Theo Hernandez. The midfield trio of Fofana, Bennacer, and Reijnders aims to control possession while forwards Musah, Leao, and Morata provide attacking thrusts. This configuration reflects Milan's strategic intent to dominate the game from the onset.
Predictive analyses suggest that AC Milan will secure a victory against Girona with a projected scoreline of 3-1 . Such predictions underscore not only Milan’s superior squad depth but also their determination to rebound from recent setbacks in domestic competitions. As they face Girona—a team struggling for form—Milan's focus will undoubtedly be on translating their momentum into European success.
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