Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Champions League match.
AC Milan's excellent form in recent Champions League rounds under Paulo Fonseca has kept their hopes of reaching the top 8 alive. Girona, on the other hand, seem less inclined to put up a strong resistance in the European competition—the Catalans are shifting their focus to the domestic league, having already conceded that their Champions League campaign is unsuccessful.
AC Milan
Since the October international break, Milan have secured four consecutive wins in the group stage, scoring 11 goals during this period. At the San Siro against Red Star Belgrade (2:1), the Italians generated 2.00 xG and had 20 shots. Under Sérgio Conceição, the Milan side have also won the Super Cup, and over three Serie A matches, they created 5.05 xG (ranking fourth).
Girona
Across six Champions League rounds, Girona have suffered five defeats—marking the worst debut for a Spanish club in European competitions. Since the start of November, they have failed to score a single precise shot in three group stage matches, and against Liverpool (0:1), they couldn't score despite 1.21 xG and 13 attempts. On Saturday, the Catalans stumbled against a struggling Sevilla side in La Liga (1:2), allowing 2.92 xGA, highlighting numerous defensive errors.
AC Milan vs Girona Prediction
The recent defeat against Juventus (0:2) will likely prompt changes in Milan's lineup, as they are eager to break into the Champions League top 8. Girona will not withstand their attack, so the hosts at San Siro are expected to claim victory.
