Old rivals AC Milan and Liverpool are set to clash once again as they meet in the opening game of the league phase of the new UEFA Champions League edition.
These teams, famously remembered for the dramatic 2005 Istanbul final, face each other under vastly different circumstances.
AC Milan finally secured their first win of the season with a commanding 4-0 victory over Venezia at the weekend.
Goals from Theo Hernandez, Youssouf Fofana, Christian Pulisic, and Rafael Leao all came within the first 30 minutes at San Siro, marking a dominant display that will surely lift the Rossoneri’s spirits.
Prior to this, Milan had only managed two points from their first three Serie A matches, making this performance a timely confidence boost ahead of the European showdown.
On the other hand, Liverpool come into this match with contrasting momentum after a shocking home loss to Nottingham Forest. Despite winning their first three Premier League games without conceding a goal, the Reds struggled on Saturday, delivering a lacklustre attacking performance at Anfield.
While Liverpool have generally fared well against Italian sides in recent years, they were surprisingly eliminated by Atalanta in last season’s UEFA Europa League, a reminder that Italian teams can pose a serious threat.
The defeat to Nottingham Forest will also have rattled Jurgen Klopp’s side, especially given the team’s poor offensive display.
Now, they must regroup quickly for a tough away game against a Milan side that just found their groove with a confidence-boosting four-goal win.
The stage is set for a high-stakes encounter, with both teams looking to set the tone for their Champions League campaigns.
