Milan vs Brugge: Will Haaland's Absence Hold up the Blues?

Milan and Club Brugge will clash in a highly anticipated Champions League fixture in San Siro on October 22, 2024. While Milan comes into the match as the favorite, the absence of star striker Erling Haaland due to injury has thrown the game wide open. It will be intriguing to see if the Blues can overcome this significant setback and emerge victorious.
Milan, under the guidance of manager Stefano Pioli, has been in excellent form this season. They currently sit atop the Serie A table, having won eight of their first ten matches. Their attacking prowess has been particularly impressive, with Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud forming a formidable partnership up front.
Club Brugge, on the other hand, has had a more mixed start to the season. They are currently third in the Belgian Pro League, having won five of their first ten matches. However, they have shown their quality in Europe, having already secured two victories in the Champions League group stage.
The absence of Haaland is a major blow for Milan. The Norwegian has been in scintillating form this season, scoring 12 goals in all competitions. He is the team's focal point in attack, and his ability to find the net from any position makes him a constant threat.
In Haaland's absence, Milan will need to find other ways to create and score goals. Leao and Giroud are both capable finishers, but they will need to be at their best to make up for the loss of their star striker.
Club Brugge will be looking to exploit Milan's weakened attack. They have a number of dangerous players in their squad, including Noa Lang and Ferran Jutgla. If they can get these players on the ball, they could cause Milan's defense plenty of problems.
The match is likely to be a close and exciting affair. Milan will be desperate to win and maintain their position at the top of the group, while Club Brugge will be looking to pull off an upset and boost their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages.
The absence of Haaland makes the match even more unpredictable. If Milan can find a way to cope without their star striker, they will be confident of victory. However, if Club Brugge can take advantage of Milan's weakened attack, they could be in with a chance of causing an upset.