AC Milan return to the Champions League on Wednesday night as we face Liverpool at Anfield, but it will be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Rossoneri made it three wins in three games in Serie A at the weekend, with Stefano Pioli overseeing a perfect start to the domestic campaign.
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However, the focus switches to Europe in midweek and it’s a huge challenge that lies ahead of us with Liverpool posing a real threat given the quality in their side.
Nevertheless, we’ve earned our spot in what is a hugely competitive group along with Atletico Madrid and Porto, and given our history in this competition, the players will be fully aware of the expectation heading into such a big game.
So, what could the Milan XI vs Liverpool look like?
Barring any late setbacks, the backline picks itself based on form and Pioli’s strongest available XI with Mike Maignan between the posts and Davide Calabria, Simon Kjaer, Fikayo Tomori and Theo Hernandez in front of him.
Alessio Romagnoli impressed at the weekend, but with the pace and movement of Liverpool’s attack, it could be a game that exposes his weaknesses and so while Kjaer will face similar issues, his experience will hopefully make the difference alongside the youth and aggression of Tomori.
With question marks over Tonali’s availability after his absence from training on Tuesday, Ismael Bennacer could step in for the 21-year-old if he isn’t passed fit to start, which could be a smart move regardless to give us more solidity and defensive protection in midfield.
That would see the partnership of Bennacer and Franck Kessie back together in the two-man deeper lying midfield duo, while Rafael Leao, Brahim Diaz and Alexis Saelemaekers will be tasked with offering creativity and pressure in the final third behind Ante Rebic.
Olivier Giroud is coming back from having to isolate due to Covid regulations and so it’s unlikely he has 90 minutes in his legs, and given how fast-paced this game is likely to be, particularly in the opening stages given Liverpool’s habit of coming out quickly, Rebic’s work ethic and ability to press high up the pitch will be fundamental to our chances of picking up points.
Leao will be critical in this game too. The Portuguese winger has to use his pace and movement to decisive effect, particularly on the counter attack, and so he must be on top of his game and put away any chances that might come his way.
It’s such an intriguing and finely poised tie, one that many will regard Liverpool as favourites in. Nevertheless, Milan have plenty of quality in this side that can contain and hurt them too, and so it sets up a fascinating encounter at Anfield.
