Two European powerhouses, AC Milan and Liverpool, are set to rekindle their storied rivalry as they kick off their 2024/25 Champions League campaign at the iconic San Siro on Tuesday night.
With both clubs boasting illustrious histories in continental competition, fans can anticipate another electrifying clash in Europe’s premier tournament.
AC Milan, now under the guidance of new manager Paulo Fonseca, is eager to bounce back after a shaky start to the season. Liverpool, led by recently appointed Arne Slot, also seeks to overcome early-season challenges. Slot, who took over from Jurgen Klopp, has inherited a squad that secured a third-place finish in the Premier League, ensuring their return to the Champions League. However, expectations are high following a trophyless campaign last season.
Liverpool’s group stage journey is fraught with high-stakes matches. In addition to facing AC Milan, they will go head-to-head with reigning champions Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen. Other challengers, including Bologna, RB Leipzig, Girona, Lille, and PSV Eindhoven, are also poised to disrupt Liverpool’s European aspirations. Only the top eight teams from the 36-club league phase will advance to the knockout stage, while those finishing between ninth and twenty-fourth will face a playoff to qualify.
Arriving in Milan on the heels of a rare Premier League setback—a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest—Liverpool is keen to rebound. A stunning strike from Callum Hudson-Odoi highlighted their struggles in front of goal. Despite this defeat, Liverpool’s track record against Italian clubs has been impressive, with four victories from their last five European matches in Italy. However, the sting of their Europa League quarter-final exit to Atalanta last season remains fresh.
On the other hand, AC Milan finally found their stride in Serie A with a convincing 4-0 win over Venezia, marking a much-needed turnaround after a slow start. Goals from Theo Hernandez, Youssouf Fofana, Christian Pulisic, and Rafael Leao lifted the spirits of Fonseca’s side, who had previously managed only two points from their first three matches. Now, Fonseca aims to capitalize on this momentum as he leads Milan into his first Champions League encounter.
The Rossoneri face stiff competition in their group, with Real Madrid, Leverkusen, Girona, Club Brugge, Dinamo Zagreb, Slovan Bratislava, and Red Star Belgrade all vying for advancement. Yet, for the Milan faithful, a chance for revenge against Liverpool is a top priority. Although Milan secured redemption for their 2005 Istanbul heartbreak by winning the Champions League final in 2007, the Reds triumphed in the 2021/22 group stage, winning both encounters, including a 2-1 victory at San Siro where former Liverpool favorite Divock Origi, now a Milan player, scored.
As the teams prepare to clash, anticipation builds for what promises to be a thrilling encounter under the San Siro lights.
