One of the big draws of the revamped UEFA Champions League format was the promise of more blockbuster matchups from the get-go. And the AC Milan vs Liverpool clash on matchday one of the newly expanded League Phase, is just one example of how they’ve delivered.
This blockbuster fixture at the San Siro is one of many tantalising encounters that fans can look forward to in the expanded format. It is also one that new Liverpool boss Arne Slot, who has made an excellent start to life at Anfield since taking over the reins in the summer will be looking forward to with great anticipation considering his side’s excellent away record against Italian opposition.
The Reds have won four of their last five away games against Italian teams in European competition, and their proven ability to thrive on Italian soil should provide a major boost of confidence to Slot as he takes charge of the team for the first time in the Champions League.
Moreover, the Dutchman has the luxury of counting on Mohamed Salah, a proven performer in European competition. Salah’s 41 Champions League goals for Liverpool speak for themselves, and at 2.50 odds on Bet9ja to score anytime, the Egyptian is certainly worth considering if you’re backing a goal scorer.
Tough Start for Fonseca
Meanwhile, Paulo Fonseca, Slot’s counterpart at AC Milan, is also navigating the early days of his tenure at the San Siro, though with less immediate success. Despite a commanding 4-0 victory over Venezia, Milan have managed just one win in their opening four Serie A matches, a sign that the Portuguese coach is still adjusting to life in Italy’s top flight.
Fonseca’s transition has been far from smooth, and the team’s inconsistent performances reflect the growing pains of his new leadership. Facing Liverpool in his first Champions League outing hardly promises to make things easier. However, Milan’s recent solid record against English opposition in Europe – unbeaten in their last four encounters with Premier League sides – should offer Fonseca some hope as he prepares his squad to take on the Reds.
That said, any optimism will be dampened by Milan’s defensive openness this season, which has seen them concede high-quality chances to opponents – a weakness Liverpool will be eager to exploit.
To make matters worse, injuries to key players like Ismaël Bennacer, Alessandro Florenzi, and Malick Thiaw also mean Milan head into this encounter severely weakened which doesn’t bode well for their chances of kicking off their European campaign with a huge scalp.
Betting Tip: Liverpool to win
17/09 20:00 AC Milan – Liverpool Liverpool to win @ 1.98 (Bet9ja)
Four wins on their five trips to Italy suggests Liverpool know how to win on Italian soil. Considering the contrast in form between both sides, that statistic should read five wins after Tuesday’s encounter.
Milan have endured a challenging start to the season under new boss Fonseca, and the absence of several key players certainly doesn’t do well for their chances against the Reds.
Since Arne Slot took over the managerial reins from Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have undergone a subtle yet significant tactical evolution. Slot has instilled a greater emphasis on defensive discipline while maintaining the team’s hallmark ability to launch swift, precise counterattacks. This balance between solid defending and lightning-fast breaks should prove too much for Milan to handle, considering how porous the Italians have been this season.
And with Salah in very good form, coupled with his excellent record in the Champions League, we are backing the Reds to come out on top in this clash between European heavyweights at the San Siro.
Therefore, our betting tip is Liverpool to win, available at 1.98 odds on Bet9ja.
AC Milan vs Liverpool - Liverpool to win @ 1.98
Predicted Lineups:
- AC Milan: Maignan, Emerson, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Hernandez, Reijnders, Fofana, Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic, Abraham, Leao
- Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Jota
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