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| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
AC MILAN  Abbiati Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Taiwo Ambrosini, Van Bommel, Emanuelson Seedorf, Aquilani Cassano | VIKTORIA PLZEN  Cech Limbersky, Bystron, Cisovsky, Rajtoral Horvath, Jiracek Pilar, Kolar, Petrzela Bakos |
However, the same cannot be said for suspended Gennaro Gattuso and injured quartet Robinho, Alexandre Pato, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Mathieu Flamini, but there is slight hope for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who could feature in some capacity. A tactical change is also likely, as it seems that Stephan El Shaarawy will be dropped to accommodate the incoming Ambrosini, and see Aquilani pushed forward in a 4-3-2-1.
For Pavel Urba's visiting outfit, they have only goalkeeper Roman Pavlik as their main injury worry, but the arrival of fellow shot-stopper Marek Cech during the summer seems to have softened the blow. Plzen are set to name an unchanged side from their 0-0 draw at the weekend against Ceske Budejovice, with a 4-2-3-1 system ready to be deployed that has also served them well during their qualifying campaign for the tournament over the summer.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
AC Milan have won only two of their last 14 Champions League matches.
- They have lost five of their last nine home games in the Champions League, keeping a clean sheet just once.
- However, the Rossoneri have won all of their four home games against Czech clubs in Europe.
- The only Czech side to beat AC Milan were Slovan Liberec back in the 2002-03 edition of the competition.
- Czech teams have conceded 11 goals in four trips to Italy since the inception of the Champions League.
- This will be the first competitive meeting between AC Milan and Viktoria Plzen.
- Plzen are unbeaten in their last five games and seven European fixtures, while losing just twice in 16 matches this season.
Despite having to contend with a number of key performers missing, the Serie A champions should still easily sail to victory on Wednesday, and it is potentially tricky encounters such as these which Milan will have to overcome in convincing fashion if they are to make a significant impact on this season's competition. Despite an ageing midfield, their sheer experience and know-how, coupled with the imagination and invention of Aquilani and Cassano in attack should prove to be a deadly combination, if not the quickest. Nesta's return will also prove to be a huge benefit, as Plzen's unpredictable, yet prolific frontline will need to be promptly dealt with.
Editor's Prediction
AC Milan 2-0 FC Viktoria Plzeň 
