Shamrock Rovers v AC Milan: time, channel, team news

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Shamrock Rovers will face Italian giants AC Milan in a European qualifier tomorrow night, here’s everything you need to know.

What is competition?

AC Milan, seven times European Cup winners, may be more used to the Champions League, but this is a qualifying match for the second round of the Europa League.

The winners of this tie still face a third qualifying round and a tiebreaker round before the group stage of the competition.

What time is the kick-off?

The clash at Tallaght Stadium begins at 7 p.m. Thursday night.

Where is the canal?

The game will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2 and RTÉ Player. Coverage will begin at 6.30pm. M. Before the start of 7 p.m. M.

What big names will Shamrock Rovers face?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be the name on Shamrock Rovers’ mind, as the Swedish striker has been included in the AC Milan squad.

The superstar looked like he was going to miss the game with a leg injury, but has recovered in time to travel to Dublin.

The 38-year-old is not the only big name on the Milan team.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, Danish defender Simon Kjaer, former Manchester City player Brahim Diaz and midfielder Franck Kessie will also travel to Dublin.

Here is the complete team from Milan:

Goalkeepers: Donnarumma A, Donnarumma G, Tatarusanu.

Defenders: Calabria, Duarte, Gabbia, Hernandez, Kjaer, Laxalt.

Midfielders: Bennacer, Calhanoglu, Díaz, Kessie, Krunic, Saelemaekers, Tonali.

Forward: Castillejo, Colombo, Ibrahimovic, Maldini.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ready to line up at Tallaght Stadium.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ready to line up at Tallaght Stadium.

Will there be fans in the game?

The government’s updated ‘Living with Covid’ roadmap allows 100 fans at the games in Dublin, but tomorrow’s game will remain behind closed doors. UEFA rules state that all matches will be held behind closed doors, so there will be no fans at Tallaght Stadium.

What is at risk?

For Milan, qualification for the Europa League is the minimum. Anything but a win for the Serie A giants would be a huge surprise.

Dundalk were the last Irish team to qualify for the Europa League group stage, with Stephen Kenny in 2016, and it would be a historic victory for the Rovers if they managed a surprise (regardless of whether they passed the next two qualifying rounds).

While the game will be huge for the club’s profile and the League of Ireland as a whole, Rovers’ main goal remains a league title.

They are currently eight points ahead of their Bohemian rivals in the Irish Premier League.

Possibilities

Clover rovers: 22/1

AC Milan: 1/18

Draw (in 90 minutes): 9/1

What do the clubs say?

Rovers coach Stephen Bradley believes his club could “cause trouble” for AC Milan.

“We know it is going to be a tough match, obviously, but we will come up with a game plan to try and win the match like we always do,” Bradley told the club’s official website.

“We know that there will be moments in the game where we will face each other and we will have to push ourselves.

“That’s normal when you play against a team of this quality, but I honestly think we have enough quality to cause problems for the team and create chances.

“I think Thursday will be no different.”

Rovers typically dominate possession in home games, but Bradley has a different game plan for tomorrow.

“You have to understand the quality of the player that you face, it is going to be very high and there will be periods in the game where you are not going to have the ball,” Bradley said.

“You have to be comfortable with it and be ready for it, and be ready to work and take a shift.

“But there will be patches in the game where we will have possession and opportunities, and we must be ready to take advantage of them.”

Milan manager Stefano Pioli insists his team will not underestimate the Rovers.

Pioli said: “Our season begins with Shamrock Rovers. Unfortunately, we have a major absence or two, but we need to see the positives this can bring to the game. We know how tough these first games can be: they have played more games and have more game minutes. We will have to be alert for 90 minutes. “

Meanwhile, Milan legend and current manager Paolo Maldini says the club is “rightly” concerned about facing the Rovers.

Maldini told Sky Italia: “We are ready, I hope. It is a game that scares us a lot. It is a team that is doing well, first in their league, we have some problems, Rebic disqualified, Leao injured. We played away from home in a knockout game, we are rightly concerned. “



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