Champions League Group F Round 5: AC Milan Revives Classic Strategies, PSG Aims for Stability

As the UEFA Champions League Group F enters its fifth round, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain face critical matches. On the morning of November 29th, AC Milan will host Borussia Dortmund, while PSG will take on Newcastle United. Both matches are pivotal for the teams' chances of progressing to the knockout stages, with AC Milan relying heavily on their defense and PSG seeking to maintain their position through a cautious approach.

AC Milan vs. Borussia Dortmund - Defense Could Be the Decisive Factor

AC Milan managed to avoid early elimination from the Champions League by overturning a deficit to beat PSG at home in their last match. This victory has given the Rossoneri a chance to climb into the automatic qualification spots if they can secure a win against Borussia Dortmund. The key to Milan’s success against PSG was a return to a more solid defensive strategy, reminiscent of the counter-attacking tactics that Carlo Ancelotti’s Milan used to dominate Europe. This approach proved effective against a strong opponent, but Milan’s challenges are far from over.

In their subsequent Serie A match against Lecce, Milan squandered a two-goal lead, allowing their opponents to equalize. Olivier Giroud was sent off, and Milan narrowly avoided further embarrassment when VAR disallowed Lecce’s potential winning goal for a foul in the buildup. Milan's inability to control games has been evident, prompting coach Stefano Pioli to consider high-press tactics to disrupt opponents.

Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, surprised many by winning their last two Champions League matches against Newcastle United. Newcastle had previously impressed by defeating PSG, but Dortmund’s victories showed their resilience. Despite lacking the financial muscle of their Premier League counterparts, Dortmund’s squad strength is comparable, and their domestic league struggles mirror those of Milan. Dortmund's recent Bundesliga defeat to Stuttgart highlights their inconsistency.

Both teams had successful returns from the international break in their domestic leagues. Dortmund staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Borussia Monchengladbach 4-2 after trailing by two goals. Milan, however, faced a striker crisis with Giroud suspended, Rafael Leao and Noah Okafor injured, and Luka Jovic far from his best. This led to a 15-year-old, Francesco Camarda, setting a record as the youngest Serie A player. Though he didn’t score, his contribution helped Milan secure a 1-0 win against Fiorentina.

When Milan and Dortmund last met, neither side was particularly effective in attack, resulting in a dull 0-0 draw. Milan’s defense has since become more reliable, and with Giroud rested from his suspension, they could edge out a 2-1 victory at home.

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Newcastle United - Mbappe's Commitment in Question?

Group F is highly competitive, with teams showing strong performances. Before the group stage began, few doubted PSG’s ability to top the group, but after four rounds, PSG has surprisingly lost more matches than any other team in the group. Nonetheless, they also have the most wins, keeping them in a qualifying position. Their fate remains in their own hands.

PSG’s last match against Milan revealed a complacency among their players. Kylian Mbappe’s smile at Gianluigi Donnarumma’s intervention suggested an air of overconfidence, as if PSG had already secured qualification. However, the "clear out" movement within the club has left Mbappe somewhat detached, raising doubts about his ability to lead PSG to Champions League glory.

Newcastle United’s earlier win against PSG elevated their status, but consecutive defeats to Dortmund have left them at the bottom of the group. Despite their financial prowess, Newcastle's approach remains cautious, without significant high-profile signings. Their most promising acquisition, Sandro Tonali, is sidelined due to personal issues. Newcastle’s primary strength lies in their squad depth, which should become more advantageous as the season progresses.

Both teams come into this match following convincing domestic victories. PSG and Newcastle both scored three goals to defeat their respective league opponents. Given the stakes, Newcastle will likely adopt a cautious strategy, knowing that a loss would see them eliminated. PSG, needing only a draw to stay in the top two, can afford a patient approach. A 1-1 draw seems a plausible outcome.

Conclusion

As the penultimate round of the Champions League group stage unfolds, AC Milan and PSG find themselves in different but equally challenging positions. Milan must leverage their defensive strengths to secure a vital win against Dortmund, while PSG can take a more measured approach against Newcastle, aiming to consolidate their position in the standings. Both matches promise to be intense and strategic battles, reflecting the high stakes of this stage in the competition.