Milan is not just a fashion capital, it is also a city of football. When the lights go on at our stadium switch on for the 18:45 CEST kickoff this coming Thursday, October 15, heavyweights of European football await our lads: AC Milan! Four years after our last encounter, we are once again locking horns with the Lombardian giants. It is time to take a detailed look at their history, the present, and the challenges ahead.

1899 founded

An Italian Hollywood

The history of AC Milan goes back to the end of the 19th century and their foundation as a football and cricket club. It is story full of glory and glamour, and a few big scandals along the way too. AC Milan won their first European championship in 1963, and from then on, they have been greats of the continent's football scene. Their run of success was suddenly halted in 1980, when a betting scandal saw them forcibly relegated to Serie B. Promotion back to the top flight immediately followed, bringing the glory back to Northern Italy. They now have seven European titles to their name, and 19 Italian championships.

4 times winners of the European cup

3 times Champions League winners

Big names from the past

AC Milan have been known for generations for their great playing names such as Kaka, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, David Beckham, Paolo Maldini and Andriy Shevchenko. Along with their numerous successes, the Italians are known for their legendary 2005 Champions League final defeat against Liverpool after leading 3-0 at half-time.

Lean years are over

The past 15 years have not been so happy for the club known for its constant success. The 2021/22 league title finally ended an 11-year barren run with no titles. A takeover by a US investment firm also brought continuity to the club's structure. Since then, the Rossoneri have steadily rejuvenated their squad, gained tactical flexibility, and firmly re-established themselves at the European elite!

The turbulence of the 2010s had been reflected in the boardroom. The best-known figure at that level was former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who was a majority owner between 1986 and 2017 - overseeing a huge chunk of the club's history. In 2017 a Chinese consortium of investors acquired Berlusconi's shares, and then sold them to an American hedge fund a year later. American private equity company RedBird bought a controlling stake in 2022.

A temple to be no more

The home of AC Milan is the legendary Giuseppe Meazza stadium, named after a former Inter legend - and therefore known among Milan fans mostly as the San Siro, due to the name of the district it is located in. Whatever you call it, it won't be around much longer. The two Milan clubs are due to move to a new stadium in 2031.

75,817 seats in the San Siro

Amorim's touch, Pavlovic’s return, and world-class quality in the middle

Under new head coach Ruben Amorim, the Rossoneri are displaying a clear, high-intensity style of play. The team relies on structured positional play, lightning-fast transitions and direct attacking. Leading the side is goalkeeper and captain Mike Maignan. Right in front of him, a familiar face provides defensive steel: our former defensive stalwart Strahinja Pavlovic, who dominates the heart of the Milan defence with his uncompromising tackling. In midfield, the Lombards combine vast experience with physicality. Experienced playmaker Luka Modric pulls the strings with his vision, while Adrien Rabiot covers the ground from box to box. Up front, Goncalo Ramos — a clinical and tireless centre-forward — lies in wait. He is adept at holding up the ball and striking with ice-cold precision inside the box (as he proved two years ago while playing for PSG against us).

503,20 million estimated market value (transfermarkt.com)

As always, the outcome will be played out on the pitch. We look forward to a packed stadium and a heated match against a genuine European top team on our home turf. Haven't got a ticket yet? Then head this way:

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Opposition analysis | Big names and a new era