AC MILAN v DINAMO ZAGREB: KEYS TO THE MATCH

After the draw in Salzburg, AC Milan will be back in the Champions League at San Siro, and will do so against Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb, a team fresh from their surprising success on the first matchday against Chelsea. An important encounter, before the big league match against Napoli and the most intense October in memory. It will be a challenge that may expose some weaknesses: we try to analyse some key points to solve it.

SUBSTITUTES ON THE WINGS
AC Milan and Dinamo Zagreb are two teams that base a significant part of their play on the wings, something that was also seen in their respective Champions League starts this season. Given the large number of matches already played by both teams - 7 for AC Milan, 16 for Dinamo, who have played three European preliminary rounds and started their league in mid-July - the impact of the substitutes available to the two coaches could play an important role in the course of the match. With an eye also on the commitment against Napoli, Pioli could once again give Dest a chance, after making his debut in Salzburg, as well as reintroducing the alternative between Saelemaekers and Messias. Against Chelsea, Čačić used the Iranian Moharrami on the right, while altering the Austrian Ljubičić's position, who mainly plays as a centre-back, to the left. His decisions will also be dictated by the desire to make Croatian national Oršić - scorer of the winning goal - play as a second forward, alongside an old friend of Italian football in Bruno Petković. Some different solutions for a tactical set-up that will be disclosed closer to kick-off.

THE THREE-MAN DEFENCE
Used out of necessity in Genoa, with Tomori as a replacement following Leão's dismissal, the three-man set-up could be the result of tactical choice rather than necessity with how the match may play out. This is also to mirror a team that, against Chelsea, adapted to a 3-5-2 after having used the four-man defence in the first games of the season, including the European preliminaries against Shkupi, Ludogorets and Bodø/Glimt, thus demonstrating a great will to adapt and overcome. The choices are restricted due to the European squad list - Adli, Bakayoko, Thiaw and Vranckx are unavailable in defence and midfield - but Pioli will certainly be able to count on a Kjær in good condition, as seen in the match against Sampdoria.

ALL EYES ON RAFA
Unavailable due to disqualification against Napoli, Rafael Leão will certainly be a key player in the match against the Croatian champions. Last year Rafa scored in his first home game in Europe against Atlético Madrid, with a sensational goal that would go down in the Rossoneri's rich European history. The condition of the Rossoneri's number 17 is undoubtedly good, as seen with his brace in the Derby, and against Chelsea Dinamo Zagreb showed that they were not entirely impermeable to moves from the wings or individual counter-attacks. Tuchel's team failed to capitalise on their chances in the 90 minutes, and a fine display from Leão combined with AC Milan's offensive cynicism - having scored nine goals in three matches this season at San Siro - could tip the balance of the match in Pioli's side's favour.

Tickets for AC Milan v Dinamo Zagreb are now available: see you at San Siro!