Milan fans associate Liverpool with both heartbreak and redemption. While we all wish that this match and the other Group B match would offer us redemption, realistically, the heartbreak is more likely. Also, because every time the club makes one of these overdramatic videos about a match, we seem to have worse luck. We have plenty of injuries already, and really don't need any more referee episodes, either. Not only is this match a must-win to see Milan progress to the Round of 16, but the result of the Porto-Atlético match will also factor into our chances. This is our last chance to move on, it all comes down to this.
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| This team has grown, but will be missing key players |
Liverpool are at the top of Group B, having won all five of their matches thus far. While Milan may have challenged them the most in the group, a perfect record from the team who won it all just two years ago and have played in the Champions League every year for the past five years is pretty foreboding. Their wage bill is nearly double Milan's, evidence of their quality and experience. They also currently sit second in the Premier League, only one point behind Manchester City.
Their most recent match was Saturday, when they beat Wolverhampton 1-0 with a late goal from Divock Origi. For that match, Klopp lined up Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Alcántara; Salah, Diogo Jota, and Mané. As of this writing, he will be missing Firmino and Jones to injury, with Gomez and Keita also doubtful for this match.
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| Will Milan have heartbreak? or redemption? |
Pioli will be missing four five players who were incredibly impactful in our first matchup with The Reds. Kjaer is now out for the season, Calabria and Giroud have not recovered, and Rebić, who had a goal and an assist against Klopp's side in September is also still out until January at least. Leão, who assisted Rebić's goal, incurred a small muscle injury on Saturday and will miss this one as well. Tomori will want to erase the memory of his own goal at Anfield, and Maignan may want revenge after breaking his hand while saving a Salah penalty. Milan do sit at the top of Serie A, though, and despite a couple of recent losses, played well to earn all three points vs. Atlético two weeks ago.
Our first meeting was Milan's first ever visit to Anfield, and while Milan have never hosted Liverpool, they did play at San Siro before, when they beat Inter in the 2007-08 season. Our trip to Anfield was most of our players' first Champions League match ever, and they showed it by playing like deer in the headlights for much of the first half. But after shaking off their nerves, Liverpool were barely able to pull off the win.
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| The Eagle's wing has mended and he is ready to fly again |
If we still had all of our players healthy, I would believe we had a good chance to take this one. Without them, it's harder to realistically expect the win. But as fans, we always cling to hope, that's why we watch the game. We will have our fans backing us as well, with the San Siro likely to be sold out at 75% maximum capacity. And with players like Messias coming into form right now, maybe, just maybe, we have the magic to make up for the disparity in quality, experience, and healthy starters. Champions League Round of 16, Europa League, or no Europe at all... it all comes down to this.
This post inspired by the music of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's "Pandora's Box"
Reviewed by Elaine
on
12:00 AM
Rating:
