Bournemouth have enjoyed a dream start to life in Europe, but Thursday night’s visitors could bring their perfect record crashing back down to earth.
The Cherries welcome seven-time European champions AC Milan to the Vitality Stadium, with Marco Rose’s side looking to make it three Europa League victories from three.
Wins over Real Sociedad and Sturm Graz have given Bournemouth six points from their opening two matches, but Milan arrive with renewed confidence after a 4-0 demolition of RB Salzburg.
And there’s one youngster in particular who Bournemouth will need to keep quiet.
Alphadjo Cissé stole the show in Austria, scoring a remarkable hat-trick to become the youngest Italian player to achieve the feat in a major European club competition match.
The 19-year-old has given Ruben Amorim a welcome selection headache, and his emergence could be particularly significant against Bournemouth’s aggressive defensive approach.
The Cherries have already demonstrated that they belong on the European stage, but Milan possess the experience and attacking quality to hand them their first continental defeat.
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What are the best betting tips for Bournemouth vs AC Milan?
AC Milan to win
Bournemouth have been excellent in Europe so far, but Milan represent a significant step up in quality.
The Cherries opened their campaign with an impressive 2-1 victory away at Real Sociedad before comfortably beating Sturm Graz 3-0 at the Vitality Stadium.
However, Marco Rose’s aggressive pressing system could leave them vulnerable against opponents capable of moving the ball quickly through midfield.
Milan demonstrated their attacking potential against Salzburg, scoring four unanswered goals in a performance that should provide a considerable confidence boost.
Amorim’s side have plenty of players comfortable receiving possession under pressure, while their movement in attacking areas could exploit the spaces Bournemouth leave behind.
The hosts will undoubtedly make life difficult, particularly with the Vitality Stadium crowd behind them.
Nevertheless, Milan’s experience and quality in the final third could prove decisive.
Both teams to score
Bournemouth might be facing their toughest European opponents yet, but that doesn’t mean they’ll abandon the approach that has brought them this far.
Rose’s side have scored five goals across their opening two Europa League fixtures and have found the net in 17 of their previous 18 matches across all competitions.
Evanilson, Marcus Tavernier and Rayan give the Cherries plenty of attacking options, particularly when they recover possession high up the pitch.
However, Milan have their own attacking weapons.
The Rossoneri scored four against Salzburg last Thursday, with Cissé producing an outstanding individual display.
Bournemouth’s willingness to push forward could provide Milan with opportunities on the counterattack, while the visitors have shown they aren’t completely convincing defensively.
The Cherries should create chances in front of their own supporters, even if Milan ultimately emerge victorious.
Alphadjo Cissé anytime goalscorer
Alphadjo Cissé could hardly have picked a better time to announce himself on the European stage.
The 19-year-old produced a sensational hat-trick against RB Salzburg last Thursday, scoring three times as Milan cruised to a 4-0 victory in Austria.
His finishing was particularly impressive.
Cissé opened the scoring with a header, added his second with a left-footed finish and completed his hat-trick with another header early in the second half.
That performance demonstrated his ability to find space inside the penalty area and punish opponents when opportunities arrive.
Bournemouth’s high defensive line could provide the youngster with further chances on Thursday.
Rose’s side like to commit numbers forward, but that approach can leave gaps for opposition attackers to exploit when possession changes hands.
With confidence surely sky-high following his Salzburg heroics, Cissé looks an interesting candidate to add to his European tally.
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What is Bournemouth’s predicted team?
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Petrović; Adam Smith, Bafodé Diakité, António Silva, Julio Soler; Tyler Adams, Lewis Cook; Rayan, Justin Kluivert, Marcus Tavernier; Evanilson.
Injured: Alex Scott, Eli Junior Kroupi, Julián Araujo.
Fitness concerns: Justin Kluivert, Veljko Milosavljević and Amine Adli.
Suspended: None confirmed.
Marco Rose has several selection decisions to make ahead of Milan’s visit.
Alex Scott, Eli Junior Kroupi and Julián Araujo remain unavailable, while Kluivert’s fitness could influence the attacking midfield positions.
David Brooks is an alternative if the Dutchman isn’t ready to start.
Rayan could retain his place following his impressive European performances, with Marcus Tavernier expected to provide an attacking threat from the opposite flank.
Evanilson should lead the line after scoring in Bournemouth’s recent Premier League victory over Sunderland.
At the back, Rose is expected to retain a familiar defensive setup, although James Hill could challenge Bafodé Diakité for a starting position.
Bournemouth’s pressing intensity will be important, but maintaining their defensive shape could be just as crucial against Milan.
What is AC Milan’s predicted team?
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Maignan; Tomori, De Winter, Pavlović; Hutchinson, Jashari, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Loftus-Cheek, Cissé; Camarda.
Injured: Matteo Gabbia, Alexis Saelemaekers.
Fitness concerns: Gonçalo Ramos, Samuel Chukwueze.
Suspended: Filippo Terracciano.
Ruben Amorim has some important decisions to make following Milan’s emphatic victory over Salzburg.
Alphadjo Cissé is pushing for another start after his remarkable hat-trick in Austria, while Omari Hutchinson also impressed during that victory.
Gonçalo Ramos has reportedly been dealing with a calf problem, potentially opening the door for Francesco Camarda to lead the attack.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek could operate in an advanced midfield role, with Adrien Rabiot providing experience and control behind him.
Matteo Gabbia remains unavailable, while Alexis Saelemaekers is also sidelined.
Filippo Terracciano must serve a suspension following his red card against Salzburg.
Fikayo Tomori, Koni De Winter and Strahinja Pavlović could therefore form Milan’s back three.
Amorim has plenty of options in attacking areas, but Cissé’s recent performance makes him particularly difficult to leave out.
Bournemouth vs AC Milan stats
- Bournemouth have won both of their opening Europa League matches.
- The Cherries have scored five goals and conceded just one in Europe.
- Bournemouth beat Real Sociedad 2-1 away from home on matchday one.
- Marco Rose’s side followed that with a 3-0 victory over Sturm Graz.
- Bournemouth have scored in 17 of their previous 18 matches across all competitions.
- Six of Bournemouth’s previous eight matches have featured at least three goals.
- Milan defeated RB Salzburg 4-0 in their previous Europa League fixture.
- Alphadjo Cissé scored a hat-trick against Salzburg, becoming the youngest Italian to score three goals in a major European club competition match.
- Milan have three points from their opening two Europa League matches.
- The Rossoneri have won just two of their previous 22 European away matches against English opposition.
Where can I watch Bournemouth vs AC Milan?
Bournemouth host AC Milan at the Vitality Stadium on Thursday, 22 October 2026, with kick-off at 8 pm BST.
United Kingdom: TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max.
United States: Paramount+, with kick-off at 3 pm ET.
Canada: DAZN Canada, with kick-off at 3 pm ET.
Bournemouth vs AC Milan prediction
Bournemouth have made an excellent start to their first European campaign, but Thursday’s encounter could be their toughest examination yet.
Victories over Real Sociedad and Sturm Graz have demonstrated that Marco Rose’s side are capable of competing on the continental stage.
However, Milan arrive with renewed confidence following their demolition of Salzburg.
Alphadjo Cissé’s hat-trick was the headline story from that victory, and the youngster could prove particularly dangerous against Bournemouth’s aggressive defensive setup.
The Cherries will look to press high and make life uncomfortable for the visitors, but that approach could leave space for Milan’s attacking players to exploit.
Bournemouth should still create opportunities.
Their home form and attacking movement suggest they’ll have chances to trouble Mike Maignan, particularly if Evanilson and Tavernier can find space around the penalty area.
However, Milan’s technical quality and ability to break through the press could ultimately make the difference.
Amorim’s side have enough attacking options to punish Bournemouth’s mistakes, and Cissé could have another important role to play.
The Cherries’ European adventure has started brilliantly, but Milan might be the visitors who finally spoil the party.
Score prediction: Bournemouth 1-2 AC Milan
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