SLAVIA PRAHA v AC MILAN: THE BRIEFING

Two-goal advantage to defend, a packed-out stadium to manage and qualification for the quarter-finals to be had. It will be a feisty Thursday evening for the Rossoneri, who face the Eden Aréna in Prague. Slavia showed us what they could do at San Siro, difficult and organised, and promised us battle in the second leg. We are ready, and in this analysis we will examine three themes of the clash.

SOLIDITY
Slavia Praha, in contrast to the attitude at San Siro of damage limitation, will inevitably play a more ruthless game given the two-goal deficit. As in Rennes, important spaces will open up for the Rossoneri that we will need to capitalise on, unlike the second leg in France, to bring the game in towards a clear goal. It may seem trivial, but the lack of clinical finishing was what allowed Stade Rennais to get back into the game, and this time, it's what should be our weapon to keep out Slavia Praha. Spaces and chances will come, it's our job to make the most of them.

DEFENSIVE BALANCE
After the four goals conceded against Monza, in the last two Serie A games, the only goal conceded by the Rossoneri was Koopmeiners' penalty in the game against Atalanta at San Siro, followed by two consecutive clean sheets. On the other hand, there have been five goals conceded in two games in the Europa League over the same period. The difference probably comes from a more offensive attitude in Europe, but the context and precarity of the game in Prague will require the same solidity that we have seen in the league. Density, tightness between areas, and then readiness to attack the spaces with speed.

ONE LAST PUSH
There has already been a lot of action in 2024, 15 games in 70 calendar days, often with many absences to manage. Only two games to go until the fourth international break this season, which ends a run of uninterrupted games since November. Two games, Slavia Praha and Hellas Verona, to be faced with all that's left of our energies before focusing on international action. Mental stability will be key to this mini-sprint: going through to the Europa League quarter-finals would bring us renewed European ambitions for the end of the season, and at the same time, winning in Verona would bring us just a bit closer to securing a spot in the next Champions League. One last push.

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