Old rivals reunite under the iconic lights of the San Siro on Tuesday, as AC Milan and Liverpool commence their Champions League campaigns in a highly anticipated group-stage opener. Steeped in European history, both clubs embark on new journeys under fresh leadership this season, with Arne Slot at the helm of Liverpool and Paulo Fonseca leading AC Milan.
For both managers, this marks their first Champions League venture with their new clubs, and each has something to prove. Arne Slot takes charge of Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp's departure, following a season where the Reds secured a third-place Premier League finish, missing out on the Europa League title many had predicted.
AC Milan is seeking their first victory over Liverpool since their triumph in the 2007 Champions League final, which served as sweet revenge for their heartbreaking defeat in Istanbul two years earlier when Liverpool staged a historic comeback to lift the trophy.
While Liverpool stumbled, AC Milan finally found their rhythm after a shaky start to the Serie A campaign under Paulo Fonseca. The Rossoneri had failed to win any of their first three league games, sparking early speculation about Fonseca's future.
However, a resounding 4-0 victory over Venezia right after the international break, with goals from Theo Hernandez, Youssouf Fofana, Christian Pulisic, and Rafael Leao, has quieted the critics - for now. Yet, they need to be flawless if they are to be successful against a wounded Liverpool side.
With his appointment, Paulo Fonseca became the second Portuguese manager to guide an Italian club in the Champions League after Jose Mourinho, and he now faces a daunting task. In addition to Liverpool, AC Milan's group includes Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Girona, Club Brugge, Dinamo Zagreb, Slovan Bratislava, and Red Star Belgrade. Still, Rossoneri fans will first seek revenge on their first opponents.
The infamous 2005 Istanbul final was partially avenged in 2007, but Liverpool claimed both group-stage wins in the 2021-22 campaign.
Due to long-term injuries, the Italian giants will be without Marco Sportiello, Alessandro Florenzi, and Ismael Bennacer. Malick Thiaw is also unlikely to feature. Davide Calabria's status remains touch-and-go after missing the Venezia game.
Despite these absences, Fonseca is expected to stick with the same lineup that delivered such an emphatic triumph last time out, with Tammy Abraham continuing to keep fellow summer signing Alvaro Morata on the bench. Abraham opened his account for AC Milan from the spot, and the English striker now aims to resurrect his career after a long-term injury layoff.
Liverpool's European journey will be anything but straightforward, as blockbuster encounters against reigning champions Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen loom on the horizon. Alongside these giants, Bologna, RB Leipzig, Girona, Lille, and PSV Eindhoven will battle to deny Liverpool a top-eight finish in the new 36-team league format. Sides finishing ninth to 24th will have a playoff lifeline, while those ranked 25th to 36th will exit Europe altogether.
The Reds arrive in Milan on the back of a mixed run of form, having won four of their last five away fixtures against Italian opposition. However, memories of last season's Europa League quarter-final exit at the hands of Atalanta still linger. Adding to their concerns, Liverpool suffered their first defeat of the season at the weekend, falling 1-0 to Nottingham Forest after a stunning strike from Callum Hudson-Odoi punished their wastefulness in front of goal.
It was a disappointing Saturday afternoon for the Reds at their fortress, Anfield, in stark contrast to their pre-international break form. Given Liverpool's busy schedule in the coming months, Arne Slot must consider some changes.
Liverpool's lineup remains to be determined ahead of the trip to Milan. The new signing, Federico Chiesa, was back in training and was left out of the squad against Nottingham Forest, and his availability for this clash remains doubtful.
Elsewhere, Harvey Elliott is a confirmed absentee due to a foot injury, while Cody Gakpo and Darwin Núñez may push for starts after substitute appearances at the weekend.
AC Milan: Mike Maignan - Emerson Royal, Matteo Gabbia, Strahinja Pavlovic, Theo Hernandez - Tijjani Reijnders, Youssouf Fofana, Ruben Loftus-Cheek - Christian Pulisic, Tammy Abraham, Rafael Leao. (4-3-3)
Liverpool: Alisson - Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil Van Dijk, Andy Robertson - Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch - Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo - Darwin Nunez. (4-2-3-1)
AC Milan appear to have gained more from the international break than Liverpool, judging by their domestic performances over the weekend. Moreover, the Rossoneri are unbeaten in their last four Champions League games against English clubs (including a win and a draw against Newcastle in last season's group stage) and aim to extend that record to five. However, given Liverpool's attacking options and the potential changes Arne Slot may make, AC Milan's run may end against a determined, if wasteful, Reds side.
