Celtic vs AC Milan: Preview, broadcast listings from 120+ countries

Celtic vs AC Milan: Preview, broadcast listings from 120+ countries - October 22

Topics: TV Schedules, Celtic, AC Milan, UEFA Europa League

Struggling Celtic will be facing an uphill battle against history when they welcome a high-flying AC Milan for matchday one of the 2020/2021 Europa League.

Preview: Celtic vs AC Milan

Celtic will hope to become the first team to defeat AC Milan as the Hoops aim to shake off not just some bad form, but finally end a frustrating hoodoo against the Rossoneri. Niel Lennon's side come into this game not only having lost their last three games, but also failed to score in them, and they will be desperate to put their poor domestic form behind them as they look to rebound in the Europa League.

By contrast, Milan have been in excellent form since the new season started. Stefano Pioli's men picked up their first Serie A win over cross-town rivals Inter in the Derby della Madonnina in four years, thanks to a brace from the evergreen striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Rossoneri arrive at Celtic Park unbeaten in their last seven matches across all comps, and notably are the only team in Serie A yet to drop points this season.

The hosts' record against their upcoming visitors is pretty dismal, to say the least. This will be the 11th meeting between Celtic and Milan - so they are certainly not strangers to each other - but the Scottish side have won just one of their prior ten ties, while losing six times. To complicate things, the Rossoneri have dominated their most recent clashes, winning the past three all without conceding a goal. However, Celtic have fared pretty well in home European clashes, with wins in their last four fixtures. Will that be enouigh to give manager Lennon his first ever win over the Diavolo? Or will Pioli's side continue their amazing start to their 2020/2021 campaign by making it a fourth consecutive win at Celtic Park?

Team news: Celtic vs AC Milan

Celtic: Both Nir Bitton and Hatem Elhamed are out due to positive COVID-19 tests, while Odsonne Edouard is still undergoing a battery of tests, so the French striker also won't be available for Lennon's side. In addition, both James Forrest and Christopher Jullien are still on the treatment table rehabbing from injuries.

AC Milan: The visitors will be missing key playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu, and given he's been directly involved in ten Europa League goals (five goals and five assists) for the side, his absence will be certainly a major blow to the Rossoneri.

Match facts: Celtic vs AC Milan

This will be the 11th meeting between Celtic and Milan
The Hoops have won just one of their last ten fixtures against the Rossoneri (D3 L6)
That was in October 2007, when they recorded a 2-1 victory
In addition, current Celtic boss Lennon has never beaten Milan - either as a player or as a coach, with a record of D2 L2 from four prior encounters
The Rossoneri have beaten Celtic in their last three meetings - all without conceding a single goal
However, Celtic have won three of their last four Europa League home games (L1), which is a marked return on the three in ten games (D2 L5) they had won at their home base