Having already added ten players to their playing squad over the summer, AC Milan are certainly looking to make a statement this season. Vincenzo Montella will now be looking to get his players up to full fitness, as well as on the same wavelength as the rest of the squad. This process will start against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday afternoon, with the duo set to meet in China as part of the International Champions Cup. Both Milan and Dortmund suffered disappointing campaigns last time around, with the European giants looking to get back on track this time around, with pre-season often an important time of year for football clubs. As a result, and with football fans looking forward to the return of high-quality action, let’s take a closer look at the two teams, as well as our top betting tip for the match.
AC Milan
Having already brought in the likes of Andre Silva, Franck Kessie and Ricardo Rodriguez for major fees, Milan pulled off one of the coups of the summer by sealing a deal for Italian Leonardo Bonucci. However, with Milan having once again finished outside the European qualification places in Serie A, it is likely that their new look team will take some time to fire on all cylinders.
Montella is likely to embed his new signings into the fold in dribs and drabs, with Bonucci and Silva unlikely to feature in China. Milan have a better head-to-head record over Dortmund over the years, winning six times, while suffering just three defeats. A 4-0 win over Lugano last week does not prove a lot, however it is a promising start for the Italians ahead of the new season.
Borussia Dortmund
A late goal from Andre Schurrle saw Dortmund claim a comeback win over Urawa Reds in the J League World Challenge, however an encounter with AC Milan is set to provide an even sterner test for new manager Peter Bosz and his players. With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang strongly linked with a move to Premier League champions Chelsea, the Gabon striker could well miss the match. However, Mario Gotze could well continue his comeback from serious illness, while new signing Mahmoud Dahoud could line-up in the Dortmund midfield.
Top Betting Tip
With Dortmund having qualified for the Champions League once again, the emphasis will be on the German side to go for the win against the Italian giants. As a result, our top betting tip is to back a win for Dortmund, which has best odds of 6/5 at William Hill. Their comeback victory last time around demonstrates that Dortmund are taking their pre-season campaign seriously, with their players looking to impress their new manager.