Champions League: Qualification, hostile ground, Donnarumma… Five questions before AC Milan-PSG

Time for revenge…or confirmation? Two weeks after the first leg, in Paris, AC Milan hosts PSG this Tuesday, at San Siro, during the fourth day of the Champions League group stage. Group F match. Kick-off at 9 p.m. A match broadcast on Canal and RMC Sport 1, and to follow, as always, live with commentary on our site, with all the information from our special correspondent on site.

There was no match. Not long. Embarrassed in the first half hour, the Parisians took control of operations by opening the score, through the inevitable Kylian Mbappé. They then continued, with the excellent Warren Zaire-Emery and Kang-in Lee adding to the score (3-0 final score) against the Milanese who are still chasing a first success... and a first goal in C1. “The first 25 minutes were for Milan. We made a lot of errors in the transmissions. Kylian's goal reassured us, and it allowed us to finish the first act better. When we returned from the locker room, we came back with more confidence, we had more chances,” analyzed Luis Enrique, noting that “it was not the best performance of the season, but undoubtedly the best result.” After Newcastle (4-1 defeat), the Rouge et Bleu were expected to face Milan. They responded.

No. But Luis Enrique's players would take a big step if they were successful. Already, a victory in Milan would ensure them to play at least in the Europa League in the spring. Obviously, that's not the objective... The ranking of this group F before the fourth day? Paris (6 pts) in the lead, ahead of Dortmund, Newcastle (4 pts) and Milan (2 pts). In the best case scenario, PSG could therefore only have a five-point lead over third. We would have to win in Italy and count on a victory for one or another team during Dortmund-Newcastle. In the event of a draw in the other group match, Paris would, at best, only be four points ahead of its pursuers. In the event of a setback, the French champions would at worst be second on Tuesday. They could even retain the benefit of the first before the last two days in the event of a draw at the Westfalenstadion.

Also read: Group F ranking, results and schedule

Oh yeah ! Before the victory at Juventus (1-2) last year, PSG had only won once in Italy. It was October 21, 1992, against Gianfranco Zola's Naples, in the UEFA Cup. 2-0 victory with a double from George Weah. In total, the capital club has a record of two wins, four draws and five defeats (three against Juve) on Italian soil, in 11 matches. What about San Siro? A 1-1 draw in 2010, in the C1 group stage, and a defeat synonymous with elimination in the semi-finals, in 1995. Dejan Savicevic scored a double, he who had already stood out with a assist for Zvonimir Boban in Milan's 1-0 first-leg victory in Paris.

Barring injury, we already know nine of the eleven Parisian starters for this Franco-Italian duel, with Gigio Donnarumma in goals, Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Milan Skriniar and Lucas Hernandez in defense, Warren Zaire-Emery and Manuel Ugarte in the middle, and Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé on the sides in attack. A priori, Vitinha should find his place in the midfield, unless Luis Enrique renews his confidence in Kang-in Lee, very prominent against Montpellier (3-0) on Friday and scorer in the first leg against Milan. What about in front? This is the real question, knowing that no one has imposed themselves. Randal Kolo Muani (3 goals, 2 assists) and Gonçalo Ramos (2 goals, 1 assist) alternate between good and bad. On another note, Marco Asensio (2 goals, 1 assist) started well... before getting injured.

Asked after the disappointing performance of “RKM” on Friday, Luis Enrique had this to say: “He had a key role in all the matches, and the same goes for Gonçalo Ramos and Marco Asensio. I am happy with these players. Randal is a very versatile player, brilliant technically and physically. They all have a great mentality. And I’m happy with the players I have up front.” Note that Bradley Barcola can also claim this place according to the Spanish coach. In the meantime, we will be careful about our choice.

Not very good… Or even downright hostile. The Milanese people only moderately appreciated seeing the Italian international goalkeeper go to PSG, in 2021, at the end of his contract and therefore without transfer compensation. A betrayal in their eyes. And the pill has still not passed. The San Siro public did not fail to jeer the person concerned during each of his visits to Milan with the Italian team, including last September 12 against Ukraine (2-1). No reason for it to be different this Tuesday.

In fact, it's a safe bet that it will be worse. “Donnarumma will see how San Siro welcomes the traitors,” says a Milanese fan to Le Parisien. According to Corriere dello Sport, Milan supporters plan to throw fake tickets on the pitch and other such pleasantries. “Finding Milan again is a very strong emotion,” said PSG number 99, before the trip. And added, about the supporters: “It’s important to me to have a good relationship because I always gave my best until my last match. It’s normal that the criticism touches a little…” We’ll see if he manages to remain unmoved.