This fixture on 28th November has both clubs desperate for a win to advance from the most challenging group in this season’s UEFA Champions League, and there is little margin for error. The last time they met on the 4th October in Group F saw a feisty 0-0 draw at the Signal Iduna Park.
In the reverse fixture, Borussia Dortmund travel to the iconic San Siro Stadium in Italy for a heavyweight European clash against AC Milan, needing a result to avoid an early exit from this season’s competition.
UEFA Champions League Group F Table
| TEAM | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Borussia Dortmund | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| AC Milan | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | -2 | 5 |
| Newcastle United | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
Seven-time European champions Milan will be also be in a must-win situation in front of an expectant home crowd after they reached last season’s semi-final.
Their last meeting in the Champions League group stage came during the 2002/03 campaign, with each team winning one game apiece before Milan lifted the trophy.
Stefano Pioli’s side started the 2023/24 campaign strongly, with commanding wins over Bologna, Torino and Roma, but all that came crashing down in a chastening 5-1 defeat to neighbours Inter Milan.
That derby defeat brought the desired response out of the Rossoneri, who have gone undefeated since, keeping clean sheets in five of those six games.
The first was a goalless draw at home to Newcastle United in a game they should have won. Still, they kept a barren run in this season’s Champions League with another stalemate at Borussia Dortmund in Matchday 2.
While they sit top of the Serie A log with seven wins from eight matches, Milan still needs to gain a cutting edge in Europe, which must be quickly addressed in a fiercely contested group.
With only two points from as many games, they must strike a balance and secure points in two games against Paris Saint-Germain to have a fighting chance of advancing from this group with a result against Dortmund.
On a positive note, Milan can count on an unbeaten run in their last six home matches in all competitions, giving them the impetus to beat the Germans.
Borussia Dortmund may have a young team, but they have instilled a solid system with experienced players playing their part.
Die Schwarzgelben are one of only two German clubs to have beaten Milan in the Champions League, but that came in a home game. Edin Terzic’s men must be near-perfect on the night to get maximum points here.
After falling short of their first league title in 11 years on the final day of last season, BVB are unbeaten domestically yet sit two points below the Bundesliga table toppers in fourth place.
BVB started the season with two wins against Koln and Freiburg and draws with VFL Bochum and Heidenheim after their first four games.
Dortmund lost 2-0 at Paris Saint-Germain in their opening game of the UCL but have been undefeated since then, with three wins and a goalless draw when AC Milan visited on Matchday 2.
The draw provided their first point in Group F as they are already playing catch-up to Milan, PSG and Newcastle ahead of facing the Magpies in a doubleheader. Hence, the second game against Milan could be their final chance to claw an opportunity to qualify from the group.
Combining youthful fearlessness with steely veteran heads, BVB will back themselves to cause a stir in this challenging group or even find the route into the Europa League via third position.
Indeed, the goalscoring department has to be addressed as they have yet to find the net in the competition. They will not find it any easier against a stingy Milan backline, meaning they must force errors more than anything else and capitalise on the opportunities presented.
Of course, that is easier said than done.
Match tickets
The game will take place on Tuesday, 28 November, with kick-off coming at 8 PM UK time. Proceedings will be streamed live on TV with Mediaset, Prime Video and Sky Italia broadcasting in Italy and DAZN and Prime Video doing the same in Germany.
Fans can purchase AC Milan vs Borussia Dortmund tickets on each club’s website, but as San Siro is expected to be filled with over 80,000 people, getting them may prove impossible for non-season ticket holders. Milan is in a good way after their 2021/22 Serie A triumph, and their home games promise entertainment and a fantastic atmosphere. With Dortmund also coming with their loyal support, it may be difficult to find tickets via official sources.
Hence, supporters are advised to try getting game tickets on a ticket resale site.
Team news
Ismael Bennacer (knee), Mattia Caldara (ankle), Pierre Kalulu (muscular), Rade Krunić (firm) and Ruben Loftus-Cheek (adductor) are all out injured for Milan at the time of writing. Still, a couple could be back long before they travel to Germany.
For Dortmund, Thomas Meunier (hamstring), Mateu Morey (knee), Marcel Sabitzer (groin), Abdoulaye Kamara (hamstring) and Ole Pohlmann (hamstring) are on their current injury list, with more updates expected before their availability against the Rossoneri can be ascertained.
Line-ups
The hosts will be desperate for the energy and guile of Ruben Loftus-Cheek in midfield, and Stefano Pioli could hand the fit-again Englishman a start with his side needing the dynamism to score goals.
AC Milan: Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Hernández; Loftus-Cheek, Pobega, Reijnders; Pulisic, Giroud, Leão
Emre Can should come into the BVB lineup to add experience and steel to the middle of the park where the home midfield could outnumber them.
Upfront, Niclas Fullkrug will be desperate to get on the scoresheet and win points for his side in his maiden campaign in the Champions League.
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Can, Özcan; Malen, Reus, Brandt; Füllkrug
Prediction
With all the high stakes involved, Milan is better equipped to handle the pressures of this game while retaining the backing of the home supporters. Nevertheless, Dortmund will have a solid game plan to frustrate their hosts and press them high.
Goals are essential, which could make this an open game. In that case, Pioli’s side are favourites.
AC Milan 2-1 Dortmund
