The five key battles that could win or lose the game for Milan against Dinamo Zagreb | OneFootball

AC Milan take on Dinamo Zagreb in their final Champions League fixture, at least in the first phase, with a top eight spot the objective.

The game at the Stadion Maksimir comes with a rather simple task at hand. The Rossoneri know that three points – following last week’s win over Girona, which resulted in a climb to sixth in the table – would secure a top eight spot.

In the process, Milan would get direct qualification for the last 16 of the competition, avoiding a potentially tricky two-legged play-off tie next month, given some of the teams currently in the middle 16 places.

The key battles

Starting with the attack, Christian Pulisic has been directly involved in five goals in his last six starts for Milan in the Champions League (four goals, one assist). If he scores or assists in this match, he’ll register a new single season-high for goal involvements in a Champions League campaign (currently on four – three goals, one assist).

Watch Pulisic’s role under Sergio Conceicao has been interesting, and it is likely that he will drift into more central areas to try and hurt Dinamo, who will defend deep. Thus, the 23-year-old Spanish centre-back Raul Torrente is likely to be the opponent he sees most of, a player with 20 appearances this season and someone Fabio Cannavaro seems to want to build his defence around.

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At the other end, Sandro Kulenovic has scored three goals for Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League this season and 12 across all competitions, so he is the real danger man. Only one player has ever netted more in a single campaign in the competition for them (4 by Mislav Orsic in 2019-20).

Strahinja Pavlovic will be looking to neutralise the Croatian striker and continue his good recent form. Amid rumours of a potential January exit, the Serbian centre-back put in his best performance since joining against Parma, winning a penalty and assisting the winning goal while being on of the few defenders who could hold their head high.

In the midfield, there will be an interesting duel between Martin Baturina and Youssouf Fofana. The former looks like a very bright talent for Dinamo with three goals and six assists to his name this season already across all competitions, despite being just 21 years of age.

He will venture furthest forward out of the midfield line, and Fofana will therefore be tasked with thwarting him while launching Milan in transition. As a reminder, the Frenchman will miss the derby on Sunday after picking up too many yellow cards, so he can perhaps put a bit more in tonight.

Back to the attack, Rafael Leão has netted three times in the competition this term, already equalling his goal tally from 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 combined (3). Not only that, but he has scored in three consecutive games. The Portuguese has completed 26 dribbles in the UCL this season; the joint-most of any player (level with Morgan Rogers).

He will go at Stefan Ristovski, a 32-year-old full-back from Macedonia who has started 20 out of 22 games for Dinamo this season. Really, though, the aim for the home side will be to not allow Leao to get in isolation with anyone given the blistering speed he has, which caused them problems in the 2022-23 meeting too.

Finally, Luka Stojkovic admitted in his press conference yesterday that he is relishing the chance to face off against Milan, and in particular players like Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic. The 21-year-old has featured on both flanks so far this season across his 17 appearances, with a goal and an assist to his name.

One player who could really do with winning their battle is Theo Hernandez, who was hooked at half-time after a poor first 45 minutes against Parma. It continues a trend of disappointing displays full of defensive inattention, and amid reports suggesting that his renewal is on pause because of his form, tonight is a night to show what he can do.