On Tuesday night, the historic San Siro in Milan will be the setting for the exciting UEFA Champions League match between AC Milan and Club Brugge. This encounter is a replay of the memorable match won exactly 21 years ago by Blauw-Zwart, thanks to a brilliant goal by Mendoza.
THE MATCH
Next Tuesday in the eve Club will play Milan in the opening match of the third matchday of UCL League Phase, the 364th European match for Club Brugge. AC Milan is preparing for its 438th European clash. For Blauw-Zwart, this is also their 99th UEFA Champions League match, with this campaign marking their 11th participation in the group stage.
It has been exactly day to day 21 years since Club Brugge last played at San Siro against AC Milan, on Oct. 22, 2003. Every Club supporter remembers the counter that Peruvian striker Andrés Mendoza ended with a fantastic shot into the top corner (0-1) and the heroic saves that goalkeeper Dany Verlinden shook out of his gloves afterwards. It was also on that day that "Seven Nation Army" became a soccer song thanks to Club fans.
Club Brugge already traveled to De Laars 11 times, earning 2 wins, 3 draws and 6 defeats. AC Milan has already played a Belgian club 21 times in its history, 6 of which were against Club.
Club Brugge began its 11th UEFA Champions League campaign with a 3 out of 6. After a 0-3 loss against Borussia Dortmund and a handsome 0-1 victory against SK Sturm Graz, they are in 21st place in the rankings. With an away game against the traditional Italian superpower, Brugge can once again raise their profile in Europe.
AC Milan, which has yet to collect any points in the UEFA Champions League this season, is currently in a disappointing 32nd place in the UCL rankings. Milan began with a 1-3 home defeat against Liverpool FC. Christian Pulisic shot the home team into the lead, but through Konaté, van Dijk and Szoboszlai, Liverpool still took the 3 points. On the second match day, Milan lost by the narrowest of margins to German champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Former Union player Victor Boniface brought down the verdict (1-0).
THE OPPONENT
Associazione Calcio Milan was founded back in 1899, eight years after Club Brugge. Like Club, it became champion in its own country 19 times (last time 2022). It could put the Coppa Italia in the air 5 times. In Europe, Milan was also very successful. Only Real Madrid (15) won more finals at the championship ball than Milan. The Rossoneri could stick the Cup with the Big Ears in the air no less than 7 times. They also won European Cup II 2 times and the UEFA Super Cup 5 times.
AC Milan plays its home matches at San Siro, or Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The stadium seats 80,000 spectators making it the largest soccer stadium in the country and one of the largest in Europe. Milan shares the stadium with Internazionale. Since 2019, both clubs have been working on plans for a new stadium, but this would not be started before the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.
After eight playing days in the new Serie A season, AC Milan is ranked fourth with 14 points. Last Saturday, Milan won at home against Udinese Calcio by the narrowest of margins. Nigerian striker Samuel Chukwueze quickly put the home team ahead with a crossed shot. But even within the half hour, the red-and-black team was reduced to 10 men after a red card for Tijjani Rijnders. The Dutchman foully stopped a breakthrough attacker. Still, Milan was able to pull out a 1-0 win, although it was fortunate that an equalizer from Udinese was blown offside.
This season, however, Milan had a difficult start in the UEFA Champions League. The team, led by coach Paulo Fonseca, began with a disappointing 1-3 defeat against Liverpool and followed that up with a 0-1 defeat against Bayer Leverkusen. With only two games played and no points on the board, they are currently in 32nd place in the UCL rankings.
Fonseca can count on a number of star players, including French striker Christian Pulisic, who has already scored six goals this season and is also the top marksman for Rossoneri. Portuguese Rafael Leão, who is known for his speed and dribbling, and experienced goalkeeper Mike Maignan are among the most important links in the team, while the defense with players like Théo Hernandez and Fikayo Tomori should provide stability.
AC Milan finished last season as vice champions of Italy with 75 points, 19 points behind champions Inter and four points ahead of Juventus. In the cup tournament, they fell in the quarterfinals against Atalanta BC, where Charles De Ketelaere lost 1-2 at San Siro with his former club. In the UEFA Champions League, Milan finished third in a tough pool with Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United. After this disappointment, they continued their adventure in the Europa League, where they eliminated Stade Rennais and Slavia Prague, but lost to AS Roma in the quarterfinals. Top marksman Olivier Giroud scored 17 goals, while Rafael Leão often put his fellow players in scoring position with 14 assists.
MILPALS
- Andreas Skov Olsen can play his 110th official match for Club Brugge. The Dane can also complete his 20th European match for Club.
- Hugo Vetlesen can be in action for Blauw-Zwart for the 70th time.
- Simon Mignolet can stand between the posts for the 50th time in Europe for Club.
- Raphael Onyedika can play for the 10th time in the UCL with Club.
REFEREE
Felix Zwayer, the German, has been appointed referee for the crucial UEFA Champions League match on Tuesday. He will be assisted by his compatriots Robert Kempter and Christian Dietz, who serve as assistant referees. Florian Badstübner will assume the role of fourth official, while Christian Dingert will act as VAR, supported by Sören Storks. The UEFA referee observer for this match is Norway's Terje Hauge, while France's Claude Runavot will be present as UEFA representative.
Zwayer is a UEFA elite referee and has officiated many prestigious matches in the past. Among others, he was active during the Euro 2024 in his home country, where he whistled the semifinal between the Netherlands and England. He also led the 2023 UEFA Nations League final between Croatia and Spain, as well as the 2019 Greek Cup final and the 2018 German Cup final.
This is the first time the referee from Berlin has been in charge of a Club Brugge match. However, has already flown several European matches of other Belgian teams, including Charleroi, Genk, Gent, Anderlecht, Zulte Waregem and even the Red Devils.