Three key battles which could influence AC Milan vs Liverpool
AC Milan and Liverpool go head to head in an exciting Champions League clash on September 17th at the San Siro at 20:00 UK time. Two historic clubs with 13 European Cups between themselves will bid to make a winning start to their respective campaigns as they feature in a one-off league phase clash in the new format of the competition.
The last time these two sides met was in the group stage of the 2021/22 season. The Reds beat the Rossoneri 3-2 at Anfield and 2-1 at the San Siro to eventually finish as runners-up in the campaign. There is also history as far as Champions League finals go between both clubs who have faced each other in 2005 and 2007, with one win apiece in the showpiece event.
It is also a maiden Champions League match of Arne Slot at Liverpool and Paulo Fonseca at AC Milan. The two coaches are very new to their jobs having taken over from Jurgen Klopp and Stefano Piolo, respectively, in the summer and having said that, there will be extra motivation in both dressing rooms to pick up all three points.
Here is a look at the three player battles which could prove key in determining the result of the fixture.
1. Rafael Leao vs Trent Alexander-Arnold
Rafael Leao is arguably AC Milan’s best offensive option and is bound to be a player with the potential to sway the match in the Rossoneri’s favour on Tuesday. The Portuguese international will come up against Trent Alexander-Arnold, who will have the difficult duty of keeping him at bay.
The Liverpool full-back will need to ensure that he is not venturing forward more than what is called for, especially as a player of Leao’s pace can take full advantage of any space that could be left behind. It will be exciting to see how two quality stars face off against one another in what promises to be a riveting individual contest.
2. Christian Pulisic vs Andy Robertson
Liverpool will need to lay a solid defensive foundation on both their flanks with AC Milan having capable enough options to attack from either wing. To that note, Christian Pulisic’s form has also been impressive at the start of the campaign with the American international scoring and assisting twice apiece in four Serie A appearances.
He will play as the right winger and be up against Andy Robertson. The left-back has not been on the most impressive runs of form since his shoulder injury but has done the trick for Arne Slot for much of this season. He will have to put his best foot forward if he were to nullify Pulisic’s creative abilities in the final third.
3. Theo Hernandez vs Mohamed Salah
Theo Hernandez is arguably amongst the best left-backs in the world a similar status belongs to Mohamed Salah as far as right-wingers go, especially with the Egyptian international having made a fast start to the season. He will hope to replicate his Premier League form in the Champions League as has already scored before against AC Milan when Liverpool last played them.
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It will be an enticing battle to watch as Hernandez will not let Salah influence the game very easily, while he will also look to venture into the offensive third when the Serie A giants are on the ball. For that reason, Liverpool’s forward will need to contribute defensively too and given how important he is to the Reds, Salah’s display could determine the course of events.
