Rio Ave and Milan meet at Estádio do Rio Ave Futebol Clube, in a match for this phase of the UEFA Europa League (Playoffs). These two teams have never met before, so this will be their first head-to-head. In this game, the home factor may be decisive, since Rio Ave presents considerable differences in its results at home and as a visitor.
Rio Ave :
Until reaching this stage of the UEFA Europa League (Playoffs), the home team eliminated: Beşiktaş and Borac Banja Luka. This is a team that curiously tends to achieve more positive results as a visitor than at home, since in the last 30 games they have registered 8 victories, 4 draws and 3 defeats as a visitor, with 23 goals scored and 13 suffered; against 6 victories, 5 draws and 4 defeats in his stadium, with 19 goals scored and 16 suffered. The team comes to this match after a draw at home with Vitória Guimarães by (0‑0). In the last 10 home matches for all competitions, Rio Ave has won 3, tied 5 and lost 2. Their attack has scored regularly, scoring goals in 8 of the last 10 matches. In their home matches there is a tendency for few goals, since 7 of their last 16 matches have ended with Under 1.5 goals and 10 out of 16 have ended with Under 2.5 goals. In the last 16 home matches for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: they have scored 8 of their 20 goals between minutes (31′ ‑ 45 ‘).
Rio Ave comes to this match after a 0-0 draw against Vitória SC, in a match for the Portuguese championship. It should be noted that the locals eliminated Borac Banja Luka and Besiktas in the previous rounds of the Europa League. The home team generally acts 4-3-3, favoring offensive transitions and channeling their attacks through the flanks. The three arrows aimed at the opponent’s goal will be Gabrielzinho, Lucas Piazón and Bruno Moreira. It is possible that Felipe Augusto, Tarantini and Diego Lopes will play in the most central area. Coach Mário Silva cannot count on Carlos Mané, Ronan and Junio, all with physical problems.
Milan :
Until reaching this stage of the UEFA Europa League (Playoffs), the visiting team eliminated: Bodø / Glimt and Shamrock Rovers. This is a team little affected by the home factor, that is, it presents similar results at home and away, since in the last 30 games it has registered 9 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses as a visitor, with 30 goals scored and 19 suffered; against 12 victories, 2 draws and 1 defeat in his stadium, with 42 goals scored and 15 suffered. In their last match, for Serie A, they beat Crotone away by (0‑2). In their last 10 away matches, Milan has recorded 6 wins and 4 draws. His attack has scored regularly, as he has always scored at least one goal in the last 10 games. In the last 19 home matches for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: they have scored 12 of their 34 goals between minutes (46’ ‑ 60 ‘).
AC Milan comes into this performance after a 2-0 win at the Crotone stadium visit, adding the second consecutive victory in the Italian league: the team’s goals were scored by Brahim Díaz and Franck Kessié. In previous rounds of the Europa League, the visitors eliminated Shamrock Rovers and Bodo / Glimt. Like the rival of this day, the visiting team usually plays in a 4-3-3, in which the three most advanced players are Brahim Díaz, Alexis Saelemaekers and Lorenzo Colombo. The visiting club, when investing in the offensive process, generally does so through the left flank, taking advantage of the speed offered by the winger Theo Hernández. One of AC Milan’s strengths is maintaining possession of the ball. Outside of this game are Ante Rebic, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Léo Duarte, Andrea Conti, Alessio Romagnoli and Musacchio, all with physical problems.
