Champions League action returns as reigning Bundesliga champion Bayer Leverkusen play host to AC Milan at the BayArena.
The Rossoneri is coming off a 3–0 victory over Lecce in Serie A, Paulo Fonseca’s third win across all competitions as the new Milan boss. The win was also Milan’s second-straight win in league play following its 2–1 triumph over rival Inter Milan at the previous weekend that has it in third place in the Serie A table.
Fonseca will look to keep the momentum rolling in a bid to pick up his first three points in the Champions League. The ex-Lille boss can’t afford to rotate his side much given Álvaro Morata and Ismaël Bennacer’s injuries whilst facing one of the best teams in Europe.
GK: Mike Maignan–The veteran goalkeeper is fresh off a seven-save performance that helped Milan keep a clean sheet vs. Lecce.
RB: Emerson Royal–The ex-Tottenham Hotspur full-back has seen an uptick in form as of late and should get the nod at right-back.
CB: Matteo Gabbia–Fonseca has relied on Gabbia so far this season when Strahinja Pavlović hasn’t been up to scratch.
CB: Fikayo Tomori–Tomori is one of Milan’s most important players that keeps things in check in the heart of defense.
LB: Theo Hernández–The France international was able to catch his breath at the end of the Lecce match and should be fit and firing vs. Leverkusen.
DM: Tijjani Reijnders–Reijnders has been inconsistent in the start of the new Serie A season but is capable of running the show on his day.
DM: Youssouf Fofana–Fonseca opted to save Fofana’s legs by taking him off early in the second half vs. Lecce and he should be fit against a tough Leverkusen midfield.
RW: Christian Pulisic–The USMNT captain will look to keep up his incredible scoring run to steer Milan to victory.
AM: Ruben Loftus-Cheek–The former Chelsea midfielder steps into the No. 10 role after Morata’s injury.
LW: Rafael Leão–The electric winger was on point last time out, picking up an assist to play his part in the win over Lecce.
ST: Tammy Abraham–Abraham has been solid up front for the Rossoneri with his aerial prowess and ability to hold the ball up for his teammates to make runs in behind defenses.
