Milan re-ignites European rivalry with Liverpool.
This Tuesday, the legendary San Siro will witness a tantalizing clash as AC Milan and Liverpool, both under new management, kick off their 2024-25 UEFA Champions League campaigns, with Milan eyeing back-to-back victories and Liverpool seeking to bounce back from a surprising weekend defeat.
Milan
After a slow start to the season under new boss Paulo Fonseca, Milan finally found form with a commanding 4-0 victory over Venezia at the weekend. First-half goals from Theo Hernandez [2'], Youssouf Fofana [16'], Christian Pulisic [25' P.], and Rafael Leao [29' P.] secured the Rossoneri's first win under Fonseca, who arrived in Milan with great expectations after mixed spells at Lille and Roma.
On Tuesday, Milan will take on Liverpool, another side with a new manager, as they begin their UEFA Champions League campaign. With five games between both sides on European turf, an acrimonious history exists with memories of the epic Miracle of Istanbul, a flashpoint for Milan.
Milan will be hoping to pick up back-to-back victories across two competitions when they host the Reds, a side they recently lost to at home. However, recent improvements against English opposition on European soil could serve as a source of inspiration for Fonseca’s side.
Fonseca is expected to deploy a 4-3-3 formation with Tammy Abraham, Pulisic, and Rafael Leão in attack. Malick Thiaw, Alessandro Florenzi, and Ismael Bennacer, who picked up an injury during international duty with Algeria, are all ruled out for Milan.
Liverpool
Liverpool are coming off a disappointing 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, thanks to a single goal from Callum Hudson-Odoi. The result ended Liverpool's three-game winning streak under new boss Arne Slot and left the team in 4th place on the Premier League table.
Tuesday’s clash with Milan offers a chance for Liverpool to regain their form. They have a perfect record at the San Siro in their last three visits, including a 1-0 win in 2008, a 2-0 win in 2022 against Inter, and a 2-1 win over AC Milan in 2021.
In addition, Liverpool have won four of their last five games against Italian opposition in European competition. A 4—2—3—1 formation is anticipated, with Darwin Núñez leading the attack, supported by Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
However, Federico Chiesa, Liverpool’s recent signing, is a doubt for the match due to fitness concerns.
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