Match Summary
Match: AC Milan vs Liverpool
Competition: UEFA Champions League 2024-25, League Phase
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Venue: San Siro Stadium, Milan, Italy
Kickoff Time: 20:00 (UK time)
Stage: Group Stage – Matchday 1
Managers: Paulo Fonseca (AC Milan), Arne Slot (Liverpool)
AC Milan’s Current Form: DLDW (Draw, Loss, Draw, Win)
Liverpool’s Current Form: WWWL (Win, Win, Win, Loss)
Match Preview
AC Milan and Liverpool have a storied rivalry in the UEFA Champions League, with notable encounters in the 2005 and 2007 finals. Their last two clashes came in the 2021-22 group stage, where Liverpool secured two victories, including a 2-1 win at San Siro. Fast forward to 2024, and both teams find themselves under new leadership, with Paulo Fonseca at the helm for Milan and Arne Slot taking charge at Liverpool.
AC Milan’s Campaign So Far
AC Milan’s start to the 2024-25 Serie A season has been tumultuous. Under Fonseca, the Rossoneri struggled in their first three matches, securing only two points from nine available. However, the international break appeared to have rejuvenated the squad, as they hammered Venezia 4-0 in their most recent Serie A fixture. Fonseca’s men will look to carry this momentum into their Champions League opener, buoyed by home advantage.
Liverpool’s Mixed Fortunes
Meanwhile, Liverpool's season started on a high with three consecutive Premier League wins without conceding a goal. However, they suffered a setback last weekend, losing 1-0 to Nottingham Forest, thanks to a stunning goal by Callum Hudson-Odoi. Despite the defeat, Slot's side remains a formidable force, especially in European competitions. Their record of winning four out of five away matches in Italy in recent seasons highlights their prowess on the road.
Team News
AC Milan
Paulo Fonseca’s AC Milan squad will be without several key players for their clash with Liverpool. Ismael Bennacer remains sidelined with an ankle injury, while Alessandro Florenzi is out due to an ACL injury. Marco Sportiello also remains unavailable due to ligament damage, although his absence will not impact the starting XI much with Mike Maignan as Milan’s undisputed number one goalkeeper.
Malick Thiaw is another key absentee for Milan, with the German defender struggling with an ankle sprain. Davide Calabria is doubtful after missing the Venezia match with a leg injury, but there’s hope that he might recover in time.
Fonseca is expected to stick with the same lineup that demolished Venezia 4-0, with a front three consisting of Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao, and Tammy Abraham.
Possible AC Milan Starting Lineup:
Goalkeeper: Maignan
Defenders: Emerson, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Hernandez
Midfielders: Reijnders, Fofana, Loftus-Cheek
Forwards: Pulisic, Abraham, Leao
Liverpool
Liverpool's manager, Arne Slot, has some selection headaches ahead of this clash. New signing Federico Chiesa, despite returning to training, is a doubt for the Milan game due to fitness concerns. The Italian winger, playing in his homeland, might be rested to avoid aggravating any issues.
Harvey Elliott is confirmed to be out, having suffered a foot fracture that will keep him sidelined for the foreseeable future. Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, who both struggled to make an impact from the bench in the defeat against Nottingham Forest, may be given starting roles in the attacking lineup to provide fresh energy. Slot is expected to rotate his side slightly, given the short turnaround between fixtures.
Possible Liverpool Starting Lineup:
Goalkeeper: Alisson
Defenders: Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson
Midfielders: Endo, Gravenberch
Forwards: Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Nunez
H2H Record: AC Milan vs Liverpool
The rivalry between AC Milan and Liverpool...... Read the full article from the source: Soccer Baba
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