A battle of two top attacks: All the key stats ahead of Bournemouth vs. Milan
This evening, AC Milan face Bournemouth on the third matchday of the Europa League at the Vitality Stadium, with the Rossoneri searching for a second win.
Tonight’s game is a strange one. On paper, you’d expect Milan to be the favourites to grab a vital three points in the Europa League, having only lost once this season in all competitions. Yet, it feels like they’re the underdogs.
Ruben Amorim is expected to name a rotated XI, which may contribute to that feeling. However, he’s still naming a strong team and if needed, he has some big names to rely on from the bench. If they were to win tonight too, their chances of finishing in the Europa League top eight would rise substantially.
The key stats
➤ Bournemouth’s 2–1 win away to Real Sociedad was the first European match in the club’s 127-year history. They followed it with a 3–0 home victory over Sturm Graz, scoring five goals in their first two European outings.
➤ While this is the first competitive meeting, the two clubs played a friendly in 2016, which Milan won 2–1.
➤ Alphadjo Cisse scored a hat-trick in the 4–0 win away to Red Bull Salzburg, becoming the youngest Italian ever to do so in a European competition. He celebrates his 20th birthday on the day of the game.
➤ Milan lost 2–0 at home to Benfica before responding with their 4–0 win in Austria. Their goal difference therefore improved from −2 to +2 in one match.
➤ Marcus Tavernier has scored four Premier League goals before this fixture. The winger has also started both of their Europa League matches.
➤ Evanilson scored his 100th career goal in the 2–0 Premier League victory over Sunderland last weekend.
➤ The Cherries have scored twice against Real Sociedad and three times against Sturm Graz. That’s 2.5 goals per game in their opening two European fixtures. Milan, meanwhile, are averaging two goals per game, making this a battle of two top attacks.
➤ Bournemouth have six points from six available, compared with Milan’s three. A home victory would take the Cherries to nine points from three matches, and put them six clear of the Rossoneri.
➤ Ruben Amorim made seven changes to the line-up before the Salzburg win, then seven changes for the Atalanta victory. He could make seven changes again for this one, especially with injury issues.
