Although the likes of AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and Porto are still in the hunt for a place in the knockouts of the Champions League, Liverpool have made the apparent Group of Death one-sided with five wins. The final game has no significance whatsoever from the Reds’ perspective and gaffer Jurgen Klopp should opt for rotation ahead of locking horns with AC Milan at San Siro.
Milan have regained the lost charm as they are leading the chase for ‘Scudetto’ ahead of arch-rivals Inter. Moreover, a 1-0 win at Wanda Metropolitano against Atletico Madrid has brought them back in the Round of 16 race and a 3-2 Anfield defeat on a dramatic opening night needs to be avenged with a victory to keep their Champions League hopes alive. These two elite European hotshots have produced classics in the competition’s history and the football fanatics across the globe are gearing up for another unforgettable outing this midweek.
AC Milan Vs Liverpool Tactical Preview
Talking Tactics
AC Milan
Liverpool
The Reds, on the other hand, should stick to their basics irrespective of a squad rotation. Klopp’s 4-3-3 might trouble the Rossoneri to dominate space as well as in possession. Also, the precision of the Liverpool attack would be menacing for the home side who lack pace and compactness at times.
Team News
AC Milan
Milan have an array of injury absentees with the likes of Olivier Giroud, Ante Rebic and Pietro Pellegri being uncertain for the Tuesday night contest. Samu Castillejo is sidelined with a muscle strain, whereas the absence of Simon Kjaer (ACL) and Davide Calabria (calf) in the defensive third would cause further problems in such a crucial encounter. Pioli must be hoping for quick recoveries to have more options in the ranks.
AC Milan Predicted XI
Mike Maignan; Alessandro Florenzi, Fikayo Tomori, Alessio Romagnoli, Theo Hernandez; Franck Kessie, Sandro Tonali; Alexis Saelemaekers, Brahim Diaz, Rafael Leao; Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Liverpool
Liverpool are hoping to have Joe Gomez and Naby Keita back in action soon as the pair have returned to team training. But they are unlikely to feature against AC Milan, so are Roberto Firmino, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott who are recovering from their injury concerns.
Liverpool Predicted XI
Alisson Becker; Neco Williams, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Kostas Tsimikas; Tyler Morton, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; Mohamed Salah, Takumi Minamino, Divock Origi.
Key Men
AC Milan
Ibrahimovic would arguably be the centre of attraction as he missed the Anfield game through injury. Brahim Diaz was impressive in the first leg tie and the young Spaniard is expected to make a similar impact in front of the home crowd. Franck Kessie would look to drive the show from the centre of the pitch, also the marauding runs of Theo Hernandez from the left must be dealt with concentration and expertise.
Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk needs to drive the show from the deep with his timely blocks, tackles and long balls. Mohamed Salah would look to add more to his tally and cult hero Divock Origi must have earned his place after scoring yet another injury-time winner against Wolves on Saturday evening.
Odds
The bookies have put AC Milan at 2.00 to emerge as the winners. The draw has been listed as 4.00, whereas Liverpool have been backed at 3.30 to script a triumph.
