PSG v AC MILAN: THE BRIEFING

The Rossoneri are preparing for another stellar night. To extend the positive record against the Parisians - unbeaten in four previous matches - and against French teams overall, 8 victories and 5 draws in 16 matches, but over all, to send a warning sign to the group and return to winning ways after the loss to Juventus. Pioli's ambitious AC Milan side will be looking for the first win of their Champions League campaign against Luis Enrique's Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes. We are going to try to get a head-start by analysing three potential deciding factors for the match scheduled for Wednesday 25 October at 21:00. 

PULLING THE TRIGGER
In their two Champions League matches so far, against Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan have just been missing that composure in front of goal. 39 shots taken, behind only Man City (55) and Real Madrid (50), without a goal scored is testimony of this; in order to climb the table, we will need to turn this around. Breaking the deadlock, after four consecutive European matches without finding the target, would lift spirits and help push the Rossoneri to victory. PSG's two losses this season, in fact, both came after going behind first. First against Nice (2-3) and then Newcastle (4-1), the Parisians went behind and lost confidence after going 1-0 down; committing too much offensively after going down cost them on both occasions. Furthermore, the French outfit have won every match they have taken the lead in so far this season. The approach could be decisive in this game.

HERNÁNDEZ AND THE TWO LEFT SIDES
Returning to the previous point, the importance of form and individual qualities, it is safe to assume that a goal could come from one of the two frontmen. Kylian Mbappé will pose the biggest threat to Maignan's goal, whilst Rafa Leão will be the Rossoneri's main man. The Frenchman is more of a goalscorer whilst the Portuguese is more of an assister, both decisive for the fortunes of their teams. Whilst the former has already got off the mark with a goal against Borussia Dortmund, our number 10 is still on the hunt for his first goal in this year's Champions League, leading in dribbles (7-4) and key passes (5-4), however. In the same vein, the Hernández brothers will have the task of supporting them. National team teammates but opponents for the first time at club level, Lucas and Theo have different characteristics: proactive and aggressive the Rossonero, defensive and solid the Parisian, who scored against Newcastle, taking the central defender role. The understanding and inspiration of the two left-hand sides could decide the fate of the match; it is hard to imagine a better night for the Rossoneri to reverse their fortunes. 

TACTICS
Both teams lack height and physicality in the midfield, favouring better dribbling and awareness. The midfield battle will likely be between Zaire-Emery, Ugarte and Vitinha on one side with Musah, Adli and Reijnders favourites to start for the Rossoneri. Luis Enrique's PSG uses possession as one of its best weapons, with an average possession of 70.5% in the first two group stage matches, as opposed to AC Milan's 47.5%, affected by other factors in the league, however. To wait or to try to impose their own game: a choice that will influence the attitude and depth of the Rossoneri. Including the home advantage, Pioli's men, who as of now have not conceded many chances to their opponents, could find themselves forced to let the Parisians have the ball. The Rossoneri, however, have enough quality to impose themselves on any pitch and could decide to put the pressure on the hosts. In any case, it will be crucial to close down the spaces, take advantage of any direct balls once possession has been recovered and to avoid errors in build-up and the timing of the press. 

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