A rotated Milan and a debutant keeper face Europe’s in-form Fradi
Pre-match update (17:50 CET): The team sheets are in. Torriani does make his debut behind a reshuffled back four of Terracciano, De Winter, Diawara and Bartesaghi, with Modrić, Pulisic and Moreira on the bench. The surprise is on the Ferencváros side: Borbély has left Bamidele Yusuf and Arzani on the bench and gone with a 4-3-3 led by Zachariassen, Birmančević and Joseph. Milan have also started Rabiot and Gonçalo Ramos. I still back Ferencváros over 0.5 team goals, but without their top league scorer up front I am cutting the stake from 2/10 to 1/10. The odds quoted (1.73 with MyStake) are from 4 November; prices may have moved since.
Milan beat Inter 3-1 on Saturday, but Thursday’s line-up will look very different. Mike Maignan is suspended after his red card at Bournemouth, Pietro Terracciano is injured, and Lorenzo Torriani is expected to make his senior debut in goal. Fikayo Tomori is out with a hamstring injury, and Pianeta Milan, Tuttosport and Radio Rossonera all expect Rúben Amorim to rest Pulisic, Modrić and Moreira. Ferencváros arrive with a perfect record in this competition: three wins, nine goals scored and a 3-1 win at Celtic on the opening night.
“It is only one good night. Milan do not change from one day to the next.” – Rúben Amorim after the derby (via Sportmediaset, translated from Italian)
Predicted lineups: Milan vs Ferencváros
These are now the confirmed starting XIs. Amorim has gone with a flat midfield four and Torriani in goal, Filippo Terracciano and Bartesaghi at full-back, and Rabiot playing just behind Gonçalo Ramos. Modrić, Pulisic, Moreira, Estupiñán, Gila and Camarda start on the bench, while Loftus-Cheek, Gabbia, Saelemaekers and Chukwueze are still out. For Ferencváros, captain Dénes Dibusz is back in goal after Dániel Radnóti’s abdominal strain. Borbély has switched to a 4-3-3 with Raemaekers and Cadu in the back four and Bero in midfield, and Zachariassen, Birmančević and Joseph up front. Yusuf, Arzani, Madarász and Zohoré are all among the substitutes.
AC Milan Team News & Preview
Milan are in the top five in Serie A, and the derby showed what their first XI can do: Pulisic and Rabiot scored inside ten minutes. Europe has been a different story. They lost 2-0 at home to Benfica, won 4-0 in Salzburg and were beaten 3-0 at Bournemouth after Maignan’s early red card.
Amorim has protected several regulars before the trip to Genoa on Sunday. A young goalkeeper on his debut, a defence without Tomori, and several fringe players in the side are not a recipe for a clean sheet against a team that has been scoring freely in this competition.
What works for or against Milan
- Beat Inter 3-1 on Saturday.
- Maignan suspended, with Torriani set for his senior debut.
- Heavy rotation expected before Sunday's trip to Genoa.
- Tomori is out with a hamstring injury.
Ferencváros Team News & Preview
Ferencváros have been the surprise of the league phase. They won 3-1 at Celtic, beat Plzeň 2-1 and thrashed Torreense 4-1, and they have created 5.5 expected goals across the three games. Kristoffer Zachariassen has three goals and an assist in Europe, and Yusuf has four league goals.
Domestically they are third and unbeaten in five, with Sunday’s 2-0 win over Paks their latest result. Balázs Borbély says they are trying to „play more directly and not force possession“, which should suit them against a rotated Milan side.
What works for or against Ferencváros
- Nine goals in three Europa League games.
- Won 3-1 at Celtic on matchday one.
- Zachariassen has three goals and an assist in Europe.
- Goalkeeper Radnóti is injured.
Milan vs Ferencváros Odds
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AC Milan vs. Ferencvárosi Form Guide
AC Milan Form, Stats & Data
Milan concede more than one goal per league game, and that is with Maignan and their first-choice defence. Their best-rated player, Moreira, starts on the bench.
Ferencvárosi Form, Stats & Data
Ferencváros score almost two goals per league game and have carried that form into Europe, where they have scored in all three games.
Milan vs Ferencváros: Prediction & Betting Tip
I expect Milan to win, and I am not backing Ferencváros to get a result. My bet is on them scoring. They have scored in every Europa League game, they have created 5.5 expected goals in three, and they face a heavily rotated Milan side with a debutant in goal and Tomori missing.
The strongest argument against the bet is Milan’s overall quality, and it has grown with the team sheets. Rabiot and Gonçalo Ramos start alongside Jashari, Hutchinson and Cisse, and Ferencváros have left Yusuf and Arzani on the bench. If Milan control the ball, the visitors may spend long spells defending, and San Siro is a big step up from their earlier opponents. Zachariassen still starts, and Milan still have a debutant in goal behind a reshuffled back four, so I think the visitors will get at least one. I am backing Ferencváros over 0.5 team goals at 1.73 with MyStake, but only for 1/10. I see Milan winning 3-1.