The legendary rivalry between AC Milan and Liverpool reignites on Tuesday night as these two European powerhouses meet at the iconic San Siro for the opening match of their 2024/25 Champions League campaign.

With a rich history in continental competitions, both teams are eager to put their early-season challenges behind them and deliver a thrilling performance on this grand stage.

AC Milan, now under the guidance of new head coach Paulo Fonseca, will be looking to build on their recent momentum after a strong 4-0 victory over Venezia in Serie A. Goals from Theo Hernandez, Youssouf Fofana, Christian Pulisic, and Rafael Leao marked a much-needed turnaround after a shaky start, where the team collected only two points from their first three matches. This will be Fonseca’s first Champions League match at the helm, and he is determined to make it memorable for the Rossoneri.

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On the opposite side, Liverpool enters the match seeking redemption after a surprising 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, where Callum Hudson-Odoi’s stunning strike capitalized on their missed opportunities. New manager Arne Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp, aims to rally his squad after they finished third in the Premier League last season, securing their return to Champions League football. However, expectations are high, especially after they fell short of silverware last term.

Liverpool’s Champions League group stage is packed with formidable opponents. In addition to facing AC Milan, they will contend with reigning champions Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen, along with challenging encounters against Bologna, RB Leipzig, Girona, Lille, and PSV Eindhoven. Only the top eight teams from the 36-club league phase will advance to the knockout stage, while those finishing 9th to 24th will have a chance in the playoffs. Teams ranked 25th and below will face elimination.

Despite their recent setback, Liverpool boasts a strong record against Italian clubs, having won four of their last five European matches in Italy. However, memories of their disappointing exit to Atalanta in last season’s Europa League quarter-finals still linger, adding pressure to perform in Milan.

For AC Milan, revenge against Liverpool is a top priority. The Rossoneri seek to avenge their 2021/22 group stage defeats, including a 2-1 loss at San Siro, where former Liverpool fan favorite Divock Origi scored. While Milan triumphed over Liverpool in the 2007 Champions League final, memories of their heartbreaking 2005 Istanbul loss remain vivid.