Atletico Madrid vs AC Milan

Atletico Madrid and AC Milan go head-to-head in a high-stake UEFA Champions League Group B showdown at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.

Despite reaching this Champions League group stage campaign as the defending La Liga champions, Atletico Madrid have experienced a thoroughly underwhelming Group B so far (W1, D1, L2). Since claiming a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Milan on Matchday 2, ‘Los Rojiblancos’ have lost back-to-back Champions League games. Though another lackluster result here might leave the Spaniards vulnerable to group stage elimination, Atletico’s 100% win record against Milan in European football should fill Diego Simeone’s side with confidence. Additionally, ‘Los Colchoneros’ have not lost any of their last seven European home encounters against Italian visitors (W6, D1), netting 16 goals while conceding just three in return in that run of matches. A rock-solid defense has been Atletico’s trademark under Simeone, as they’ve let in a mere 19 goals in 40 Champions League outings under the Argentine manager.

On the other hand, Milan’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League knock-out stages look far-fetched as they head into proceedings with a single point to their name (D1, L3). A victory in Madrid would keep their faint hopes of securing a top-two finish alive, but Porto’s potential win away to Liverpool would undo any positive result here. Adding to a long list of worries, ‘I Rossoneri’ have picked up just a single triumph across their last 16 match-ups against Spanish adversaries in the Champions League (D6, L9), courtesy of a 2-0 home win over Barcelona in the 2012/13 last-16. Another disappointment here would see Milan go winless in five consecutive Champions League matches for only the second time in the club’s history.