Milan-Bruges, where to watch it: time and formations

Milan, 22 October 2024 – After the victory obtained tooth and nail against Udinese in the championship, the Milan resumes its journey in Champions League, where he is still looking for the first three points, given the defeats against Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen: today to 18.45 (live match) on Sky Sport channels), the Rossoneri will face the Bruges: “The Champions League is a different competition, we started it against Liverpool and Leverkusen, among the strongest teams of the lot – explained the Rossoneri coach Paulo Fonseca –. Against Liverpool we encountered more difficulties, while against Leverkusen we expressed more quality especially in the second half. The victory did not arrive but there were signs of growth. Against Bruges we have a difficult match, they are a team capable of playing very well. We must give other signs of growth in the Champions League to be able to win and continue to compete for the qualification objective. It is not yet a decisive match but it is certainly important and we must try to win”. Among the new features, the returns to the starting eleven of Leao and Theo Hernandez, absent against Udinese due to technical choice and suspension respectively: “They will play from the 1st minute. I expect them to always give their all to help Milan win, as I expect from all their other teammates. The situation is normal. For them too”. On their opponents: “Bruges have great quality in the offensive department. Against Dortmund they lost but dominated. It will be important for us to take good care of the defensive phase, on which we will have to concentrate a lot, without giving them the chance to attack because they know how to be dangerous”.

Possible choices for Fonseca and Hayen

It should still be the 4-2-3-1 the module on which the Milan coach Paulo Fonseca should rely on: between the posts there will obviously still be Mike Maignan, while in the defensive back four, they will return – as underlined – Theo Hernandez, who still has to serve a one-match suspension in the championship, and Cage, chosen in place of Pavlovic despite the good performance of the Serbian against Udinese. Completing the department are the other central defender Tomori and Emerson Royal on the right flank. In midfield, paired with Fofana, will be backdated Loftus Cheek, to then be able to exploit the imagination and qualities of Reijnders in the three on the three-quarter line: alongside the Dutchman there will be the returning Lion and the immovable Pulisic. Finally, up front, there are forced choices: the injury suffered by Abraham against Udinese narrows the field of choices for the central striker spot to just Morata. Hayen's Brugge will respond with a 4-3-3: Seys, Mechele, Ordóñez, DeCuyper will be the four defenders protecting goalkeeper Mignolet. Onyedika and Vanaken will be the mezzali on the sides of the playmaker Jashari, while former Bologna player Skov Olsen, Jutglà and Tzolis will form the attacking trident.

Probable lineups

Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Emerson Royal, Gabbia, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Fofana-Loftus-Cheek; Pulisic, Reijnders; Leao; Morata. Coach Fonseca.

Brugge (4-3-3): Mignolet; Seys, Mechele, Ordóñez, DeCuyper; Onyedika, Jashari, Vanaken; Skov Olsen, Jutglà, Tzolis. All. Hayen.

Where to watch the match

The Milan-Bruges match, valid for the third round of the Champions League, will be broadcast Tuesday 22 October at 18.45pm live on Sky Sport. The race is also visible streaming on Sky Go and Now.