Dinamo Zagreb vs AC Milan Match Analysis and Prediction

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Dinamo Zagreb and AC Milan go head to head at Stadion Maksimir on Tuesday, with both teams desperately needing points to stay in contention for a spot in the Champions League knockout round.

While the hosts have picked up just one point from their last three Group E matches, their visitors’ only win so far came in last month’s reverse fixture at San Siro.

In their first encounter between the clubs for 22 years, Dinamo Zagreb faced their Italian rivals last month fresh from a famous victory on Group E’s opening night, when theyr defeated Chelsea at Stadion Maksimir.

Ante Cacic’c side have lost just one of their last five home matches in the Champions League, including a draw with Salzburg last time out, but suffered a 3-1 defeat to AC Milan, having only Mislav Orsic’s second-half goal to show for their efforts on the occasion.

Dinamo perhaps should have taken all three points from their encounter with the Austrian champions, having created the better chances in Zagreb, and a Robert Lubicic equaliser just before the break was almost followed up in second-half stoppage time, when Petar Bockaj’s 25-yard free kick crashed against the woodwork.

Events on the fourth matchday of the Champions League saw Milan fall three points adrift of Chelsea and two behind second-placed Salzburg, as they lost 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Stefano Pioli may have worked wonders in Serie A over the past two years, with the culmination being Milan’s first Scudetto for a decade, but he has now won only two of 10 matches at Europe’s elite level – losing six times.

Having claimed a fourth straight domestic victory at the weekend by defeating Monza to stay in touch with league leaders Napoli, Milan must now translate such form onto the continental stage or face dropping at the group stage again.

Dinamo Zagreb vs AC Milan head to head

These two teams have previously met on just three occasions in the Champions League, where AC Milan have won all the matches, scoring nine goals and conceding two in the process.

AC Milan 3-1 Dinamo Zagreb 09/08/00

Dinamo Zagreb 0-3 AC Milan 23/08/00

AC Milan 3-1 Dinamo Zagreb 14/09/22

Dinamo Zagreb latest home form

Dinamo Zagreb have recently been on a good run of form at home, and have been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Varazdin 3-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 12 goals and conceded just four.

Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 Rijeka 02/09/22

Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 Chelsea 06/09/22

Dinamo Zagreb 4-1 Slaven Koprivnica 01/10/22

Dinamo Zagreb 1-1 Salzburg 11/10/22

Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 Varazdin 16/10/22

Dinamo Zagreb latest away form

Dinamo Zagreb have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just two of their seven most recent matches. They drew 1-1 with Hajduk Split in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded six.

AC Milan 3-1 Dinamo Zagreb 14/09/22

Lokomotiva Zagreb 1-2 Dinamo Zagreb 18/09/22

Borinci Jarmina 0-4 Dinamo Zagreb 27/09/22

Salzburg 1-0 Dinamo Zagreb 05/10/22

Hajduk Split 1-1 Dinamo Zagreb 21/10/22

AC Milan latest home form

AC Milan have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just two of their 10 most recent matches. They managed to defeat Monza 4-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 10 goals and conceded six.

AC Milan 3-1 Dinamo Zagreb 14/09/22

AC Milan 1-2 Napoli 18/09/22

AC Milan 2-0 Juventus 08/10/22

AC Milan 0-2 Chelsea 11/10/22

AC Milan 4-1 Monza 22/10/22

AC Milan latest away form

AC Milan have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their 10 most recent matches. They defeated Hellas Verona 2-1 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded seven.

Salzburg 1-1 AC Milan 06/09/22

Sampdoria 1-2 AC Milan 10/09/22

Empoli 1-3 AC Milan 01/10/22

Chelsea 3-0 AC Milan 05/10/22

Verona 1-2 AC Milan 16/10/22

Dinamo Zagreb news

Ante Cacic named a strong lineup for their game against Hajduk Split, though Luka Ivanusec is likely to be recalled after only featuring as a substitute on Friday.

That will see Martin Baturina consigned to the bench, while captain Arijan Ademi will anchor the midfield, with Bruno Petkovic and Mislav Orsic in attack.

AC Milan news

Fikayo Tomori is suspended following his red card against Chelsea, while Brahim Diaz had to be withdrawn after scoring twice at the weekend.

Simon Kjaer should start at the back after returning from injury, and he will be partnered by either Matteo Gabbia or Pierre Kalulu, while Sergino Dest could be dropped to the bench.

Prediction and Odds

AC Milan have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 matches, and as Dinamo Zagreb have little to lose, this Group E clash could develop into an open affair.

With the visitors bedeviled by injuries, we feel that the points are set to be shared at Stadion Maksimir.

Odds: 1 2.22 X 2.05 2 2.88