Preview: Milan hoping to avoid an upset against PSV
AC Milan finished third in the Serie A last season behind second placed Napoli and Champions Juventus.
The rossoneri were set to miss out on Champions League football after a poor start to the campaign, the arrival of Mario Balotelli from Manchester City in the January transfer window however turned thing around for Allegri’s men who managed to clinch the final Champions League spot on the last day of the 2012-2013 season.
Massimo Allegri has strengthened the squad with the signature of Andrea Poli who is expected to partner Montolivo in the middle of the park. 20 year old De Sciglio who earned his first cap for the Italian senior side back in March has been sidelined for the important tie, Robinho and Giampaolo Pazzini will also be absent from Tuesday’s game. Antonio Nocerino will face a late fitness test whereas Mario Balotelli has been declared fit after shaking off a knee injury.
PSV Eindhoven have had a dream start to the 2013-2014 campaign and after three games Cocu’s side are currently top of the table in the Dutch Eredivisie. Even though the club have lost key players in Kevin Strootman and Dries Mertens, they have so far been able to weather the storm with some impressive displays which has seen them score 11 goals in three games in the Dutch league.
PSV’s youth product Zakaria Bakkali who became the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the Eredivisie, might have to sit this game out after suffering a groin injury while on international duty with Belgium, whereas Park Ji-sung who is currently on loan from QPR is suffering from a muscle injury but will face a late fitness test.
PSV coach Phillip Cocu while speaking to De Telegraaf reiterated:
"For both (players) the training is an important test. If Park comes through it well, without complaints, he could play on Tuesday.
"The situation is different for Bakkali as we are more cautious. But for both of them, I can say nothing definite."
Milan have failed to get the better of PSV in their last two meetings, with the Dutch giants scoring a victory over the rossoneri in both the outings. PSV coach Phillip Cocu dictated things from the midfield in both those matches and this time around he will be hoping to repeat the antics from the bench.
PSV have not conceded at home in the league so far and have managed eight goals in just two games. Tuesday’s game for AC Milan on the other hand will be their first competitive match this season, with the Serie A yet to kick off. This might go against the Italian side who will have to shake off any rustiness against a side which has been ruthless so far.
Milan on the other hand possess a potent attacking force which can cause all sorts of worries for Cocu’s side. The PSV defence will have to show a lot of resilience against the likes Balotelli, Shaarawy and Boateng if they are to get anything out of the match.
Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels
Fans all over the world would be anticipating the start of the Champions League and would be eager to know where they can watch the game live:
Watch PSV vs AC Milan live on Tuesday, August 20, 2013:
In USA at 14:45 ET on Fox Sports 1, SiriusXM FC, Fox Soccer 2Go
In UK at 19:45 BST on Sky Go, Sky Sports 1/HD, Sky Sports 1 Ireland
Fans in other parts of the world can watch the exciting match live on their local channels. Viewers in Australia can watch the match live on ESPN Pacific Rim, ESPN Australia, while those in the Middle East can catch the action live on Al Jazeera Sport HD5.
Catch live scores of PSV vs Milan on LiveSoccerTV's website as well.
