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AC Milan vs Liverpool Preview: Champions League Lineups, Team News, Predictions & More (Bonus Episode)
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The 2024/25 Champions League matchday one group stage fixture between AC Milan and Liverpool takes place on Tuesday 17 September at 21:00 CET in Italy at San Siro.
Carlo Garganese and Nima Tavallaey preview the big game. We look at the probable XIs, injuries and suspensions, and break down the game tactically before offering our predictions.
This is a bonus preview episode of The Italian Football Podcast which is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google podcasts.
To listen to this & all other full episodes of The Italian Football Podcast (with no ads), go to Patreon.com/TIFP OR now also available on Spotify to become a Patron for only $2.99 USD per month (excluding VAT).
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Transcript
Introduction to the Italian Football Podcast
00:00:02
Speaker
Welcome to the Italian Football Podcast. Hello, everybody, and welcome to the Italian Football Podcast. I'm Carlo Garganese, joined as always by Nima Tavalli.
Champions League Preview: Milan vs. Liverpool
00:00:12
Speaker
Today, we will be previewing Milan against Liverpool in the Champions League, the first matchday of the new Champions League season, the game taking place on Tuesday, the 17th of September at San Siro.
Serie A Season Preview
00:00:27
Speaker
If you want to see our full preview of the new Serie A season, going through all the Italian clubs, all their opponents, looking at their squads, their probable 11s, breaking it all down and giving our predictions of how the Italian teams will do and and also the the tournament in general, then go to to to any of our podcast apps or go onto our YouTube page where you can actually watch us do the show and you'll get all of everything in detail and you will also explain the new format of the Champions League, which has changed, been revolutionised
00:00:59
Speaker
this season and with each team in a 36 team group and each team playing eight matches rather than six matches against eight different opponents. Now the first of these opponents for Milan is against Liverpool at San Siro in a game that's been ah such a huge game in the history of ah of ah of Milan and and Liverpool.
Milan's Early Struggles and Internal Issues
00:01:25
Speaker
We're going to talk about some of the key talking points from this game, Nima. First of all, um from Milan's point of view, um and we're recording this before the Serie A game against the Venezia, which will be match day four of Serie A, it's been a disastrous start to the season for Milan. Two points from three games in Serie A,
00:01:43
Speaker
trouble off the pitch as well in the dressing room with the infamous Rafael Liao and Theo Hernandez refusing it seems to um ah to to join the rest of the team in in a cooling break during the ah the draw against Lazio in Rome. So Nemo Liverpool go into this game with a lot of pressure on them and also with Paolo Fonseca the new manager who was only appointed this summer under a lot of pressure himself.
00:02:11
Speaker
Well, yes, and and I think the biggest problem for me is Milan look disjointed defensively. Six goals conceded, two in each game, um and they look confused. And and against Lazio, when they looked good, had a good first half, then they just you know, they fell apart and they look like the wheels came off and and that's not a good sign. um and But then again, look, we've seen Milan, this Milan, this particular group of Milan players, of albeit under a different coach, Pioli, react when their back is against the wall in the Champions League. So I think that's what Milan fans and Milan are hoping for that, or the Milan contingent are hoping for that they turn up with with a point to prove and they are at home.
00:02:57
Speaker
You know, the San Siro is a magical place, European nights, evening games at the San Siro. We've seen both Inter and Milan produce magical nights there. Um, so yeah, it's one of those, it's, you know, Milan will be hoping that the crowd will help them, will help them to, to, to, to, so to try to to get a result here against Liverpool. And let's remember if they were to do that, I mean, this, this, it's, it's, it's the, you know, when, when you, when you start off as poorly as Milan have, and there's like, there's this, this talk of intern disagreements or in, sorry, internal disagreements and, and stuff like that, you know,
00:03:36
Speaker
ah a big win or a big result can kind of change all of that mentally and put you in a positive spin or in a positive space mentally. So the other flip side to that number is if they lose, then Fonseca could really be at risk.
Potential Consequences for Milan's Manager
00:03:51
Speaker
There has been reports in the Italian media, Sky Sports Italia, that if Milan were to lose this game against Liverpool, they then play Inter in the Derby a few days later after that. And if they were to lose to that, and would I think everybody would make in some favourites for that game right now. You know, you lose these two games and then all of a sudden, I think Fonseca definitely is going to be at risk. His job is going and to be talked about at the very least that, you know, should he be sacked or will he be sacked? So that there is a lot on on this game. ah the The positive side of things from Milan is I think they got a good draw, if I'm honest with you. Yes, they've got three tough opponents, including Liverpool, Madrid and Leverkusen.
00:04:32
Speaker
But they've also got games against teams that should be, should be let's say, easy opponents. If we're look at talking about Champions League level, Red Star, Belgrade, Dinamo Zagreb, Slovan Bratislava, those three are almost gimmes. Klobruga as well, you know you're not going to get a much better opponent in a Champions League.
00:04:52
Speaker
than them and then even Girona who had ah sold a lot of players in the summer lost all that you know most of their best players in the summer um at home at San Siro I think you're looking at four to five opponents that for that reason you know I'm expecting anything less than qualification as as a really a big failure but oh no doubt you talk to any Milan fan you talk to any ah anyone a Milan and them not qualifying from the group yeah would be a disaster. with I don't think anyone would. I don't think anyone would. That's what I mean, like given that given the draw. But obviously Liverpool is a tough one.
Analyzing Probable Lineups for Milan and Liverpool
00:05:25
Speaker
If we're looking at the injury list for both teams, I mean, Marata missed the the second and third games of the Serie A season, but he should be back. He's back in training as we record ahead of the Venezia game. Malek Tial had an ankle sprain, and but he is expected to be back.
00:05:43
Speaker
and certainly in time for the Liverpool game if not for the Venezia game and then for Lorenzo of course out for the season with an ACL and Marco Sportiello who's only a backup keeper anyway he's out for but two months with a hand injury. As for Liverpool um Federico Chiesa of course signed from Juventus from Serie A is is um ah probably I don't think we'll play in this game at the most he might get an appearance off the bench because he hasn't played he didn't play all summer and and he's been built up on a special training regime so I don't think we can we'll see much of him ah Alexis McAllister as a recording and that we're we're waiting for news on on how serious his injury is but if it is a muscle injury for Argentina then
00:06:26
Speaker
we're looking at him probably being a doubt and then Curtis Jones could be fit could be back from from injury so that that's the injury situation with Liverpool um Liverpool made a very very good starts the season won their first three games and look really good under their new coach Arnie Schlotz obviously big question marks for them after you know having to lose and replace such a such a huge figure like the Jurgen Klopp, Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger type figure. Usually it's difficult for managers succeeding these kind of huge figures, huge personalities. He's done really well so far. They've played really well. They've looked really good. and So it's going to be a very difficult game for Milan. If we look at the probable 11s, I mean Milan 4-2-3-1 under Fonseca. We're looking at probably Mike Manion in goal then
00:07:14
Speaker
Emerson, or Calabria right back, Tomori and Pavlovic, and Pavlovic just started really well for Milan, so you'd think those two would be there, or if not, Tiau could come in for instead of Pavlovic maybe, Teo Hernandez at left back, then the two sentiment fielders were probably looking at Reinders and Forfana, and then the the three Slecortista were looking at Pulisic,
00:07:37
Speaker
Loftus Cheek and Raphael Liao and then Alvaro Morata in attack. um As for Liverpool's probably 11 we're looking again at a 4-2-3-1. Alison Ingold, Trent, Conate, Van Dijk and Robertson should pick itself. Garavin Burch and McAllister if he's fit, if not it will be Endo or probably Jones if he's fit enough, Jones is fit enough.
00:08:02
Speaker
And then the three trecautista, we're looking at Salah, Sobuzlai and Diaz, and then Jota up front. That's probably what what we're looking at unless Liverpool choose to make ah slight some slight rotations for the game.
Key Players and Tactical Approaches
00:08:16
Speaker
um Where the game will be won and lost, Nimr.
00:08:19
Speaker
um I think, just to start off with, my first one's got to stop Salah and Diaz on the wing, because I've watched live of all of Liverpool's games so far this season, those two have been outstanding, especially Luis Diaz, who looks like he's really finally exploded um as a real, real world-class winger. What we've seen in him, he's been unstoppable so far this season, just gone it going past players for fun and finally bringing that end product to him. So I think those two on the wings are, I think, are the key.
00:08:49
Speaker
One thing though that I think is interesting is that Diaz beats his man, doesn't he? Like he goes on the outside as well, whilst Salah to me is more, he starts from the wing, but he cuts in the middle and and those perfectly timed runs and his finishing, his trademark finishing, that's, you know, that makes it really, that makes it quite, you know, you have to stop the the the balls reaching them in certain positions, um meaning you they're going to get the ball, but you rather them get the ball with their backs against the goal or them pushed out in safe zones, not having them receiving the ball when finding space and attacking from but like from behind. That is just going to cause chaos in the Milan defense. So I think Milan need to be very careful here. um Yeah. And they need to be they have to take a cautious approach
00:09:43
Speaker
um I think Liverpool do have weaknesses on the wings because I think Trent, Roberts, Salah, Diaz, they don't exactly defend that much.
00:09:55
Speaker
And if you can win the ball high up, there is space to hurt them. Rafael Liao is fantastically quick. um he could He could really have fun if Fonseca gets his formation right and if he gets the balance right and the tactics right. I think there's quite a bit of damage to do on this Liverpool side. Yeah, I think Liao against Trent is the obvious one because we know that Trent, brilliant world class in possession with the ball.
00:10:24
Speaker
His positioning is awful. But yeah, he can't defend. And he can't defend one on one at all. And that's what Liao's strongest at. So I think that they need to find a way to isolate Trent one on one. Absolutely. And I think Morata is going to be key. This is good to have a player like Morata because he's so dynamic and his movement and pressing and intelligent. He will help out. There will be a lot of positional shifts um where I think Morata will drop down deep to try to create spaces in behind for Liao, Loftiscik and Pulisic to run, and even Reindes, who I think is a very, very good player and and very underrated. um So, no, I think that there are opportunities for Liverpool, but of course, ah sorry, Milan, but of course Liverpool are favourites, there's no doubt.
00:11:12
Speaker
Yes, Liverpool are fair. The only other thing I would say that potentially could be a weak point for Liverpool is the centre of midfield, if Michaelis is... I think Michaelis is such an underrated player, one of the most underrated players in Europe, I think. Brilliant player position. I think he's also very underrated, I agree with you on that. Yeah, superb. I think that you take him out on the team, that centre of midfield suddenly looks a lot weaker for me, especially if you're bringing in an Endor or a Jones.
00:11:39
Speaker
Graven Burch has been good so far this season, but you know, I think take Macalester out. Do you have the same level of player? yeah So I think that that that could be it. You know, we'll see. We'll see how fit Macalester is. That could be huge.
Match Outcome Predictions: Milan vs. Liverpool
00:11:51
Speaker
um But yeah, prediction time. Nimmer. Prediction time. I think Milan will get a result.
00:11:57
Speaker
Because I think they will get it together. I think the international break where people have had some time to cool off and, you know, think about things. And I think the communication afterwards as well with like the way that Teo spoke about it and the way that Milan have handled it, there's no drama, we're all united. like I do think that they they want to show pride. um And regardless of the problems they've had on or off the pitch, I think Milan will want to show pride. I just hope for Milan's sake that they don't, that they turn up and produce 90 good quality minutes, even if they lose, that they do so by showing something. You know what I mean? Like something to believe in for fans that actually we might have gone up against one of the best teams in Europe or one of the teams that's better than us and we lost, but we lost
00:12:55
Speaker
fighting. we There was something to build on from that game, if you know what I mean. No, I I'm going to go for a draw. I'm going to go for a 1-1 or 2-2. Yeah, I'm thinking that too. i think I'm thinking 1-1 draw or a 2-1 Milan win.
00:13:08
Speaker
I think that also the Milan players, certainly likes of Liao, Tio, Hernandez, well will raise their themselves to the big occasion. Absolutely. Under the bright lights. So yeah, there there we have it. That's Milan against Liverpool preview.
Other Match Previews: Manchester City, Inter, Atlanta, Arsenal
00:13:23
Speaker
Do check out our other previews for match day one. We're doing one on Man City versus Inter. And we're also doing a special preview of Atlanta against Arsenal. And once again, do check out our our full preview of the new Champions League season as a whole, as the tournament as a whole. and Check that out on our on our podcast apps or on our YouTube page. youtubeoo page yeah