CHELSEA v AC MILAN: MATCH PREVIEW

It's a second consecutive away match for AC Milan, after the 3-1 victory in the final minutes against Empoli. This time, however, the setting is the Champions League, where the Rossoneri are guests of reigning World Champions Chelsea in the third match of Group E. Stefano Pioli's AC Milan visit the Blues with the aim of maintaining their lead in the group, while Graham Potter's side have to kick on after a slow start. We are edging closer to kick-off at Stamford Bridge at 21:00 CEST: let's look into the challenge with our Match Preview.

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
Sitting in first place in the group, after beating Dinamo Zagreb and drawing in Salzburg, AC Milan will go again following success in Empoli, which gave them new momentum in the league after a blip against Napoli. Unlike the challenge in Tuscany, Pioli will have to do without three important players that add to the long list of absences: Calabria, Kjær and Saelemaekers. Injuries are never an excuse for the Rossoneri, however, who showed in Empoli that they are able to react with courage and creativity to the various setbacks. There are a number of obvious choices in the Rossoneri line-up (4-2-3-1). In goal will be Ciprian Tătăruşanu, included in the UEFA squad list in place of the injured Maignan. Rade Krunić on the right will be a first; at the back, Sergiño Dest is favoured to replace captain Calabria as full-back while on the left Fodé Ballo-Touré is likely to be starting. The double-header against the English side could prove decisive in terms of positioning in the group.

"The quality of our opponents is high, so I certainly expect a difficult match" - Coach Pioli stated on the eve of the match - "Chelsea will try to play the game with determination from the start and pace throughout the match. We will have to try to create problems for the opponent and we have the qualities to do that. We know Chelsea and their characteristics well."

LATEST FROM CHELSEA
After their home draw in the last game, Chelsea are currently in last place in the group, having suffered a surprising defeat on the opening day in Zagreb. It was a result that led to Thomas Tuchel's dismissal, and he was replaced in the dugout by former Brighton man Graham Potter in order to turn around a poor start to the season. The victory against Crystal Palace (Gallagher's goal in the 90th minute) gave the Blues their second consecutive win in the league, the first for the new coach. It's good news for for Potter, who should have three key players back: Mendy, Cucurella and Kanté return for the fixture against the Italian champions. Chelsea should line up with a 4-2-2 as seen in the last game in the Premier League: Thiago Silva's experience will play a key role in the backline, while up front there will be space for the other former Rossoneri player of the evening, Aubameyang, paired with Sterling.

"We are playing against a very high level team, AC Milan have a clear idea of how to attack and how to defend," said Potter on the eve of the match. "We have high expectations and we want to get a result, it is important to win at home and I hope there will be a great atmosphere at the stadium. Leão has impressed me massively, Giroud is a fantastic player, he has strength and quality."

WHERE TO WATCH AC MILAN ON TV
Chelsea v AC Milan will be broadcast live exclusively, from 21:00 CEST, on Amazon Prime Video: it will be the first time this season for the Rossoneri on the streaming platform, with the match featuring Sandro Piccinini on commentary, accompanied by Massimo Ambrosini on co-commentary.

On the Rossoneri channels, however, the broadcast is with Milan TV's Matchday, available on SKY (channel 230), as part of the DAZN schedule or Amazon Prime Video Channels, on subscription for €3.99 per month with a fifteen-day free trial. The Rossoneri's live pre-match coverage will start at 19:30 CEST, until close to kick-off at Stamford Bridge. At the end, time will again be given to the studio and unmissable interviews with Coach Pioli and the players.

LATEST FROM CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
It's the third game of the group stage 2022/23. In the last match, AC Milan beat Dinamo Zagreb at home, while Chelsea drew at home against FC Salzburg. This is the evening's schedule for Group E: 

• FC Salzburg v Dinamo Zagreb, 5 October, 18:45 CEST (Red Bull Arena, Salzburg)
• Chelsea v AC Milan, 5 October, 21:00 CEST (Stamford Bridge, London).

The table: AC Milan 4, Dinamo Zagreb 3, FC Salzburg 2, Chelsea 1.

TONIGHT'S REFEREE
Danny Makkelie will referee Chelsea v AC Milan. The 39-year-old Dutch official will referee his match number 38 in the Champions League. He has only one previous fixture with the Rossoneri: the home match against Liverpool last season. Completing the all-Dutch refereeing team will be assistants Hessel Steegstra and Jan de Vries. Fourth official is Allard Lindhout. VAR's Dennis Higler will be on hand along with AVAR Pol van Boekel.

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