As the September air ushers in the new football season, the stage is set for an electrifying clash between AC Milan and Liverpool. This promises to be a game that will set the hearts of football fans worldwide racing.
The UEFA Champions League, the pinnacle of European club football, kicks off on September 17 with a match featuring two of the competition's most successful clubs, AC Milan and Liverpool. The history between the teams is rich in triumphs and some drama, but this matchup is more than just a game.
The question on everyone's mind is, will AC Milan triumph on home turf, or will Liverpool present a formidable challenge?
Join us as we delve into the history, the matchday squad, and the expert predictions. This will give you a comprehensive understanding of what to expect from this high-stakes encounter.
The ultimate clash: AC Milan vs Liverpool
We all know that the rivalry between AC Milan and Liverpool has been a hot topic for a long time, but who is the best team to win the first game of the UEFA CL 2024/25 season?
Let's look at some predictions from football experts and what fans have to say. This way, we will answer burning questions you may have based on what the industry predicts will go down when this exciting clash of titans takes place.
One of the most memorable encounters between these teams was the 2005 UEFA Champions League final when Liverpool made a comeback at halftime to win on penalties. And who can forget the 2021 match, when Liverpool came from the back end to win 3-2?
Who is likely to win the upcoming match? Football experts believe Liverpool is a stronger team overall than AC Milan.
What is the possibility of the game ending in a draw? The probability is 24.7% that the Liverpool vs Milan game will end in a draw.
While many experts are leaning towards Liverpool being the winner, there is still hope for AC Milan to be the victor. AC Milan will rely on talents like Pulisic and Loftus-Cheek to lead it to victory.
AC Milan’s coach, Paulo Fonseca, said: “The team has been working hard to improve its performance and is ready to face the challenge.” On the other hand, Liverpool’s head coach, Arne Slot, also expressed confidence about the match: “The team’s strong start to the season and their tactical readiness will secure a win.”
We love that the coach’s are confident in the teams but only time will tell who the real winner will be…
Who is AC Milan?
Associazione Calcio Milan, widely known as AC Milan, is an Italian football club in Lombardy. AC Milan is one of Italy's most supported and loved football clubs.
Kit colours
All AC Milan fans will shout that red and black are the team’s iconic kit colours, but what is the reasoning behind this choice? Did you know that Rossoneri, the team's widely used nickname, means "the red and blacks" in Italian?
Another nickname commonly known is "the Devil" and is also widely used. At one point, Milan's logo was that of a red Devil and a Golden Star for Sports Excellence was next to it.
AC Milan wears a full white away kit, and you will sometimes see vertical or horizontal red and black stripes. Many fans and players consider the white away kit a lucky charm, especially in the Champions League, as Milan has won six finals in all-white.
Home grounds
AC Milan played their first matches at the Trotter pitch, but they couldn’t call it a stadium as there were no dressing rooms, stands, or facilities. Milan then moved to the Acquabella pitch in 1903 but decided they wanted something bigger. They moved on to different pitches and stadiums until 1926, when they found the one.
The club owned the San Siro stadium until it was sold to the city in 1935, but Milan continued to use it as their own. In 2023, Charmain Paolo Scaroni said that the club had filed a proposal to build its 70,000-seater stadium in San Donato Milanese alongside the club headquarters and museum.
Performance on the pitch
AC Milan has won numerous awards as a club throughout the years. Let’s look at some of its achievements.
- Serie A - 19 titles
- Coppa Italia - 5 titles
- Supercoppa Italiana - 7 titles
- UEFA Champions League - 7 titles
- European Cup Winner’s Cup - 2 titles
- UEFA Super Cup - 5 titles
- Intercontinental Cup - 3 titles
- FIFA World Cup - 1 title
AC Milan's strong form in all competitions is evident through their recent matches. One that stands out is their recent victory over another of their rivals, AS Roma, as it was a game that not only boosted their confidence but also led to Jose Mourinho's dismissal from the Roma bench.
Players on the roster
UEFA rules state that the 2024 UEFA Champions League squad has 25 slots, eight homegrown players, and four players trained in the club. There is space for 18 players in the foreign section of the “A list.”
Let’s look at the Champions League squad presented to UEFA as per Milan News.
Under List A, the following has been made available:
Davide Calabria, Ismael Bennacer, Alvaro Morata, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic, Tijani Reijnders, Mike Maignan, Noah Okafor, Theo Hernandez, Samuel Chukwueze, Emerson Royal, Fikayo Tomori, Alessandro Florenzi, Malick Thiaw, Youssouf Fofana, Strahinja Pavlovic, Filippo Terraciano, Matteo Gabbia, Marco Sportiello, Yunus Musah, and Tammy Abraham.
Under List B, we have:
Adam Bakoune, Davide Bartesaghi, Andrea Bozzolan, Francesco Camarda, Andrei Coubis, Hugo Cuenca, Victor Eletu, Mattia Liberali, Vittorio Magni, Marria Malaspina, Lapo Nava, Dorian Paloschi, Diego Sia, Dariusz Stalmach, Lorenzo Torriani, Chaka Traore and Kevin Zerol.
Let’s meet Liverpool
Liverpool, with the nickname "The Reds”, is based in Liverpool, England. The Reds have a long-standing rivalry with Manchester United and have won numerous football competitions.
Kit colours
The team has worn an all-red home strip since the 1960s. However, their away kit for the 2024/25 season is a dark green base, also called “night forest”, blended with charcoal, washed teal, and sail hues.
Home grounds
Liverpool’s home ground is Anfield, which was built adjacent to Stanley Park in 1884. Did you know you can visit the Liverpool FC Stadium for a guided tour? You can uncover some of the stadium's secrets, visit the team dressing room and walk through the iconic player’s tunnel.
Performance on the pitch
The history of Liverpool is fascinating. It is no secret this is one of the best clubs in the world, and when one looks at some of their achievements, no one can argue.
- English top-flight league - 19 titles
- FA Cups - 8 times
- League Cups - 10 times
- FA Community Shields - 16 titles
- UEFA Champions League - 6 Cups
Players on the roster
The following squad has been submitted to UEFA for the first league phase fixture:
Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Chiesa, Diaz, Endo, Gakpo, Gomez, Gravenberch, Hill, Jaros, Jones, Jota, Kelleher, Konate, Mac Allister, Morton, Nallo, Nunez, Nyoni, Robertson, Salah, Szoboszlai, Tsimikas, and Van Dijk.
Due to their age and club-trained status, senior squad players like Conor Bradley, Harvey Elliott, and Jarell Quansah will be on list B.
Champions League 2024 is underway!
The anticipation surrounding the match is palpable. This match is not just a strategic battle but also a testament to the legacy of these two football clubs.
What's more, as football is currently the most popular sport to bet on, this highly anticipated game will attract attention from the betting community as well. Let's enjoy the excitement as they take to the field.
Whether AC Milan or Liverpool wins, one thing is certain: this encounter is set to be a chapter that won't be forgotten in the ongoing battle of European football!
Article by Deni
CasinoWow Contributor
Hi, I’m Deni and I am here to ensure you have all the information you need to make informed decisions about online casinos and games and, of course, have fun while doing it. I do so through in-depth research and a keen eye for detail resulting in comprehensive reviews and engaging articles. Let’s explore the iGaming world together!