Check the expert analysis of AC Milan vs Liverpool head to head including their Prediction, Team News, Lineups, and Injury Updates.
The UEFA Champions League is set to deliver another thrilling encounter as two of Europe’s historic football clubs, AC Milan and Liverpool, clash in the league phase opener at the iconic San Siro Stadium. Both teams, under new management, aim to start their campaigns with a bang. This article delves into the match preview, team news, head-to-head (H2H) record, possible lineups, injury updates, and a prediction of how the game might unfold.
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.
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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 has produced some unforgettable moments in football history. Their most famous encounters are the 2005 Champions League final, where Liverpool mounted a historic comeback to win on penalties after trailing 3-0 at halftime, and the 2007 final, where Milan exacted their revenge by defeating Liverpool 2-1 to lift the trophy.
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In their last two meetings during the 2021-22 Champions League group stage, Liverpool emerged victorious in both fixtures. At Anfield, they secured a 3-2 win, while a 2-1 victory at San Siro was marked by goals from Divock Origi and Mohamed Salah.
- AC Milan Wins: 1
- Liverpool Wins: 3
- Draws: 0
Prediction: AC Milan 2-1 Liverpool
AC Milan head into this game with renewed confidence after their dominant win over Venezia. Paulo Fonseca’s men have shown glimpses of their attacking potential, and with home advantage, they may just edge out Liverpool in this encounter. While Liverpool boasts a strong record in Italy, their recent defeat to Nottingham Forest exposed vulnerabilities that Milan could exploit.
We predict a narrow 2-1 victory for AC Milan, with Rafael Leao and Tammy Abraham likely to be the key players.
FAQs
1. What is the head-to-head record between AC Milan and Liverpool?
AC Milan and Liverpool have met six times, with Liverpool winning four of those encounters and AC Milan winning two.
2. When is the AC Milan vs Liverpool match?
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at San Siro Stadium.
3. What was the result of the last AC Milan vs Liverpool match?
The last meeting between the two sides was in the 2021-22 Champions League group stage, where Liverpool won 2-1 at San Siro.
4. Which players are injured for AC Milan?
AC Milan will be without Ismael Bennacer, Alessandro Florenzi, Marco Sportiello, and likely Malick Thiaw for the match.
5. Who are the key players to watch in this match?
For AC Milan, Rafael Leao and Tammy Abraham will be crucial, while Liverpool will rely on Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez.
6. What is the current form of AC Milan?
AC Milan’s form is mixed, with one win, two draws, and one loss in their last four matches across all competitions.
7. How has Liverpool performed recently?
Liverpool has won three and lost one of their last four games in all competitions, suffering a defeat to Nottingham Forest in their last match.
8. Who will start for AC Milan in the Champions League?
AC Milan is expected to field a strong lineup featuring Maignan, Hernandez, Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic, Abraham, and Leao.
9. Will Federico Chiesa play for Liverpool against AC Milan?
Federico Chiesa is a doubt for the match due to fitness concerns, though he may feature if he recovers in time.
10. What is the prediction for AC Milan vs Liverpool?
A 2-1 victory for AC Milan is the predicted outcome, with the Rossoneri expected to exploit Liverpool’s recent defensive lapses.
In conclusion, AC Milan and Liverpool’s clash promises to be a thrilling affair, with both teams hungry for success in the UEFA Champions League. Whether it’s the tactical battle between Fonseca and Slot or the individual brilliance of players like Leao and Salah, this match has all the ingredients for a European classic.
