AC Milan will look to seal a spot in the top 8 of the Champions League group stage as they travel to face Dinamo Zagreb in the final round on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. With 15 points from seven games, Milan is currently in a strong position but knows a win or draw is vital to avoid slipping into the playoff round.
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Match: GNK Dinamo Zagreb Vs AC Milan
Competition: UEFA Champions League 2024/25
Date: 29 Jan 2025
Venue: Stadion Maksimir
Time: 20:00 UTC, 15:00 EST
The Rossoneri have been in solid form, winning five out of seven matches, including impressive victories over tough opponent like Real Madrid. However, they’ve also suffered defeats to Liverpool and Leverkusen, showing that consistency against Europe’s elite remains a challenge.
Offensively, Milan has been led by Rafael Leão, Christian Pulisic, and Tijani Reijnders, who have each scored three goals in the competition. Youssouf Fofana has been a creative spark, providing two assists, while players like Samuel Chukwueze and Tammy Abraham have also made key contributions.
Milan’s defensive resilience, coupled with their ability to score crucial goals, has made them a tough team to beat. However, they will need to maintain focus against a Dinamo Zagreb side that will look to cause an upset.
Sitting on just 8 points and ranked 26th, Dinamo Zagreb has little to play for beyond pride. They’ve struggled throughout the group stage, with a negative goal difference of -8 highlighting their defensive frailties. However, underestimating the Croatian side would be a mistake, as they’ve proven capable of surprising stronger opponents in the past.
History is on Milan’s side, as they have a 100% record against Dinamo in their previous four meetings, winning all four matches convincingly. Milan will aim to extend this dominance and finish the group stage on a high note.
Dinamo Zagreb Vs AC Milan prediction
A win or draw against Dinamo Zagreb would guarantee AC Milan a place in the top 8, securing direct qualification to the Round of 16. A draw or loss could leave their fate dependent on other results, potentially forcing them into the two-legged playoff round involving teams ranked 9-24. For a club with Milan’s pedigree—seven Champions League titles to their name—anything less than a top 8 finish would be considered a disappointment.
Prediction: Dinamo Zagreb 1-3 AC Milan
