Red Star Belgrade vs AC Milan
UEFA Europa League
Date: Thursday, 18 February 2021
Kick-Off at 17.55 UK
Venue: Stadion Rajko Mitic, Belgrade.
There will be fireworks when Crvena Zvezda and Milan, the two former European champions, face each other in the Europa League last 32, first leg.
😍 We're back! Round of 32 is here...
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) February 18, 2021
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The Serbian champions impressed in the group stages of the competition, but they face an uphill task in the clash against the Rossoneri.
Since Crvena Zvezda will rely on their solid defence in Thursday’s showdown, we do not believe that fans will see goals galore at Stadion Rajko Mitic.
Key player Aleksandar Katai remains in the recovery room for the hosts, which is yet another reason why a low-scoring affair is on the cards.
The Serie A outfit, on the other hand, suffered a shocking 2-0 loss to Spezia on the road in their last league match.
Calabria and Diaz should be the only absentees in the away team. Anyhow, we believe that under 2.5 goals betting option should be considered.
Red Star Belgrade vs AC Milan Head-to-head
Teams FK Crvena zvezda AC Milan played so far 2 matches.
FK Crvena zvezda won 0 direct matches. AC Milan won 2 matches. 0 matches ended in a draw. On average in direct matches both teams scored a 2.00 goals per Match.
Red Star Belgrade vs AC Milan Prediction
FK Crvena zvezda in actual season average scored 2.36 goals per match. In 13 (86.67%) matches played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 12 (80.00%) matches in season 2021 played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
AC Milan average scored 2.22 goals per match in season 2021. In 15 (93.75%) matches played away was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 9 (56.25%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Team News:
Milan boss Stefano Pioli is expected to revert to his customary Europa League lineup, giving several players whose tank is running near empty a chance to recuperate ahead of the Milan derby.
In defence, stalwart Simon Kjaer will be rested and Chelsea loanee Fikayo Tomori should come in, while full-back Davide Calabria will reportedly sit out the trip to Serbia too. The 24-year-old defender missed out against Spezia due to suspension but has also been struggling with a minor injury. Having only appeared once in the group stage, the Italian international would again be deputised for by Diogo Dalot.
Forward Ante Rebic returned to group training earlier in the week and is set to be fit for Thursday after recovering from a knee injury, so will contend for a start alongside Rafael Leao and Brahim Diaz.
Soualiho Meite is set for a first European appearance after being added to the squad since his January signing from Torino and could be paired with one of Franck Kessie, Sandro Tonali or Ismael Bennacer in the Rossoneri engine room. Samu Castillejo is expected to play in support of Mario Mandzukic in attack, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be rested ahead of the upcoming San Siro double-header with Inter and Red Star.
Home coach Dejan Stankovic has utilised both a 3-5-2 and a more flexible 4-2-3-1 formation in Europe this term, but may opt for the former against high calibre opposition.
Red Star winger Aleksandar Katai - the club's top Europa League scorer so far - has been out since December with an adductor injury and midfielder Veljko Nikolic suffered an ankle knock last week and may miss out too.
Milan Pavkov could start up front, ahead of Diego Falcinelli, while El Fardou Ben Nabouhane will either feature on the right - with Zeljko Gavric on the left - or alternatively in a role closer to the main striker.
Red Star Belgrade possible starting lineup:
Borjan; Degenek, Milunovic, Rodic; Ivanic, Sanogo, Petrovic, Kanga, Gajic; Ben, Pavkov
AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Tatarusanu; Dalot, Tomori, Romagnoli, Hernandez; Meite, Tonali; Rebic, Castillejo, Leao; Mandzukic