2022 2023 Champions League Starts At Salzburg

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In what could be called a relatively easy group Milan have to face Chelsea, Austrian champions RB Salzburg and Croatian Champions Dinamo Zagreb in the 2022 20223 Champions League group stage. It will be a busy group stage as it is set to conclude in time for the World Cup break in November.

Milan start with a trip to a sold out Red Bull Arena to face RB Salzburg who have won the Austrian Bundesliga nine times in a row.

In order to fulfill UEFA squad and homegrown quotas Milan had leave out Tatarusanu, Ibrahimovic, Bakayoko, Vranckx, Thiaw and Adli from the Champions League list and settle for a smaller 23 man squad for the group stage phase. Florenzi is included while being injured, to help the homegrown numbers.

The line up will likely be unsurprising. Maignan, Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori and Theo will be at the back. It may be too early since his arrival but Dest might get some minutes on the right. Tonali and Bennacer have had good starts to the season and will be likely starters throughout. The front four remains less certain as Messias, Saelemaekers, Diaz and De Ketelaere present choices for Pioli. Either Giroud or Origi will play up front with Rebic not fully fit. Leao, the star of the derby win with two goals and an assist will look to help Milan progress in the Champions League.

Salzburg will be led by their current highly rated and top scorers in Nicolas Seiwald, Noah Okafor and Fernando. In line with the Red Bull mission the Austrians are a very young team and will be a tricky opponent.

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