Milan – Liverpool Can Milan Progress In the Champions League?

The first year back in the Champions League after a long absence has been a learning experience. It took until match day 5 for Milan to find a win. Beating Atletico in Madrid was a good sign of growth in a Champions League season where inexperience has been a detriment and the short comings have been amplified with the help of refs and the never ending injuries.

Milan arrives at match day 6 needing points and almost certainly a home win against Liverpool. A win does not guarantee progress either as Porto beating Atletico renders any result against the Merseyside side moot. The presumed and hoped for bright side is that Liverpool will almost certainly start a B side. Liverpool lead the group comfortably with 5 wins out of 5 and face a grueling domestic fixture list that has them playing 7 games before the end of December, all after this game. Unfortunately the Milan side is very handicapped and while it has been able to maintain some form in the Serie A that has not translated to the European stage.

Joining Giroud, Rebic, Kjaer, Calabria and Castillejo (not registered for Europe in any case) on the sidelines are Leao and Pellegri. The Portuguese is thought to be out short term but the latter could miss a longer time and may even return to Monaco in January. News reports indicate that Theo is not 100% either and is battling the cold.

All this leaves a very thin squad for Pioli. And a nonexistent bench. Maignan should start behind Kalulu, Romagnoli, Tomori and Hernandez, with Florenzi a possible option in Kalulu’s spot. Kessie and Tonali are the first candidates for the midfield pivot roles and up front there is little choice other than Messias, Diaz and Krunic behind Ibra. Saelemaekers and Maldini will provide the back up options.

As mentioned Liverpool may rest the likes of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold and this may make them a less dangerous side attacking wise.

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