Champions League: Milan are About to Run into the Yellow Wall!

Borussia Dortmund vs AC Milan

There is no more intimidating sight in football than a packed Signal Iduna Park under the floodlights, and that is what AC Milan are set to see when they travel to Dortmund on Wednesday.

25,000 fans can make one heck of a noise, and the Yellow Wall will crank it up to deafening levels for the big match, the Champions League: Borussia Dortmund vs AC Milan. The famous stadium in Westphalia has a capacity of 81,000, the biggest in Germany and the seventh biggest in Europe, and few teams emerge from Dortmund with anything to show for their visit.

That is what Rossoneri is up against.

And if that wasn’t enough to worry about, this is a Group F clash, the toughest group in the tournament, with Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United both in the mix.

It’s going to be a fierce battle to escape this group, and neither team can really afford to lose this clash, particularly the host. And, of course, fans in Paris and Newcastle will be watching the Champions League 2023 updates with interest.

Only a man-of-the-match performance from Newcastle United keeper Nick Pope denied Stefano Pioli’s Milan a victory in their opener, while Edin Terzic watched his Borussia Dortmund side lose 2-0 away to Paris Saint-Germain.

This will not be a game for the fainthearted in a white-hot atmosphere, and the players and fans of BVB and Milan are desperate to get it on. 

Talking Points

Reus still has plenty to offer Dortmund

BVB’s loss to PSG ended a 13-game unbeaten run for Terzic’s side, but they have responded well, with a 1-0 home victory over Wolfsburg followed by a 3-1 win away to TSG Hoffenheim. And, while Niclas Fullkrug scored his first goal for Die Schwarzgelben, the evergreen Marco Reus was on target to make it three for the campaign.

At 34 years of age, the Germany legend may be expected to play a lighter role for BVB, but he looks as sharp as ever, and he should keep his place in the starting lineup, probably at the expense of Karim Adeyemi, with Donyell Malen also likely to start.

With 117 goals from 272 games for BVB, Reus has been the most influential player at the club over the past decade, and he still has plenty of influence in the current set-up.

Norwegian right-back Julian Ryerson scored a brilliant solo goal to make the points safe against Hoffenheim, and the win took BVB up to fourth place in the Bundesliga.

And there was more good news for Terzic, as Emre Can came through as a second-half substitute and is fit to start in midfield, though Marcel Sabitzer is still sidelined with a groin injury.

Milan on the march

After losing the Milan Derby and then drawing with Newcastle, Milan were looking for a bounce-back when they met Hellas Verona, and they have since gone on a three-match winning run.

Rossoneri were hugely frustrated to draw against the Magpies firing 25 shots on Nick Pope’s goal, but they have scored six in the last three games to move up to joint top of Serie A, alongside Inter.

Christian Pulisic was on target as Milan beat Lazio 2-0 on Saturday, and he has done enough to claim a starting place against his old club.

Another new recruit, 23-year-old winger Noah Okafor, could well start again after scoring twice in the last three games.

But the news is not so good for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has also started well at the San Siro, because he picked up an abdominal injury against Lazio and is likely to be out until after the international break.

This latest injury has worsened Milan’s midfield position, with Ismael Bennacer and Rade Krunic both out, so 20-year-old Yunus Musah is in contention.

History

Milan are Champions League royalty, with seven tournament wins, second only to Real Madrid. Borussia Dortmund won one, in 1997, and were runners up in 2023.  

These two giants have met just three times, and the Germans are ahead by two victories to one, most recently winning a friendly match 3-1 back in 2017.

Recent form gives the Rossoneri a slight edge, with four wins, one draw, and one defeat from the last six games, while BVB have won three, drawn two, and lost one over that time.

Betting Tip

The Champions League 2023 betting odds rate the hosts as marginal favourites at odds of 2.35, while I Rossoneri can be backed at 2.61, and the draw is at SBOTOP odds of 3.12.

BVB have not tasted defeat in their last 23 games at the Signal Iduna Stadium, and I don’t think they will on Wednesday. Home advantage and a kinder injury situation give Terzic’s men an edge, and I think they might just take their chance in this six-pointer. 

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.