Chelsea will be looking for their first Champions League win of the season when they host AC Milan on Wednesday night.
A loss to Dinamo Zagreb and a draw against RB Leipzig have left Chelsea at the bottom of Group E in the Champions League, with a tough test against Italian champions AC Milan up next. The Blues enter the game on the back of a win though, with Conor Gallagher's late strike securing a 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace.
The last time these two sides met was in the 1999/2000 Champions League campaign, with the Blues drawing both group games against the Rossoneri. Ahead of the clash, Graham Potter has been handed a major fitness boost, whilst the visitors are currently in the middle of a major injury crisis.
READ MORE: Chelsea handed huge injury boost as key trio train ahead of Champions League clash vs AC Milan
N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy and Marc Cucurella have all returned to training this week, and the trio could be part of the squad on Wednesday. So, how could Chelsea perform in their first game with Potter in charge?
We simulated the game to try and predict the outcome. To complete the simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
Chelsea vs AC Milan score prediction
We predict that Potter could set up in a 4-2-2-2 formation, with their line-up as follows: Kepa; James, Fofana, Silva, Cucurella; Jorginho, Kovacic; Mount, Hevertz; Sterling, Aubameyang.
![](https://i2-prod.football.london/incoming/article25176032.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Chelsea-FT.jpg)
We then predict the Italian side could line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation as follows: Tatarusanu; Dest, Kalulu, Tomori, Ballo-Toure; Bennacer, Tonali; Rebic, Ketelaere, Leao; Giroud.
On his return to Stamford Bridge, Olivier Giroud scored the opener for AC Milan, sliding in ahead of Wesley Fofana at the near post to prod past Kepa. The goal was against the run of play after Chelsea looked set to take the lead early on, but they had to wait until just before the break to find the equaliser.
![](https://i2-prod.football.london/incoming/article25176043.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Havertz-1-1.jpg)
After drifting out wide, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang picked up possession and floated a ball towards the back post. With momentum, Kai Havertz met the ball and headed back across the goal into the far corner of the net.
Milan's 'keeper should've done better with the header though, with the header going through the hands of Ciprian Tatarusanu. Chelsea came out a better side in the second half, and Aubameyang struck the woodwork for the second time as his thunderous volley from Reece James' cross rattled the bar.
Despite Chelsea's better chances, Milan took the lead again when a free kick into the box was headed into the top corner by Rafael Leao, with the winger towering over Fofana in the box to send his side ahead. Christian Pulisic was brought on with 10 minutes to go as the Blues attempted to draw level, and the forward found the equaliser in the 92nd minute with a stroke of luck.
![](https://i2-prod.football.london/incoming/article25176046.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_Pulisic-2-2.jpg)
A mistake at the back from the visitors saw Aubameyang pick up the ball 25 yards out, and with the 'keeper off his line, the striker curled his effort over Tatarusanu but hit the bar again. The ball rebounded to Pulisic inside the box who hit his effort first time, and a wicked deflection off a Milan defender took the shot past the 'keeper and into the net.
FIFA 22 predicted final score: Chelsea 2-2 AC Milan
Here are the full-time match stats.
![](https://i2-prod.football.london/incoming/article25176056.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_chelsea-ft-vs-milan.jpg)
FIFA 23 predicts that Chelsea could fail to win another Champions League game, drawing 2-2 with AC Milan thanks to Pulisic's last-minute equaliser. The Blues found themselves unlucky as Aubameyang hit the bar three times, and the striker will be hoping his luck is better on Wednesday.
What will the score be between Chelsea and AC Milan on Wednesday? Let us know in the comments!
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