A great and iconic return! AC Milan finally returns to the Champions League. Will it succeed?

Return of the King. This is undoubtedly how the participation of the Milanese big club in the Champions League can be interpreted. After all, even given the historical context, it is a regular participant in this elite competition. Can AC Milan reach the very top?

1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003 and 2007 are all years when AC Milan reached the top step. We believe this club needs no introduction at all given its history.

After all, this is a seven-time Champions League champion or two-time Cup Winners’ Cup winner. Last but not least, the Rossoneri have been champions of Italy’s top competition eighteen times, five times lifting the Coppa Italia winner’s trophy over their heads.

And on Wednesday, 15 September 2021, this legend returns to the Champions League after many years. On Liverpool’s soil, it will be AC Milan’s first game in the competition since 2014. Back then, the Rossoneri were knocked out by Atlético Madrid after a cruel drubbing.

What’s more, it couldn’t be a more symbolic return. We believe the vast majority of fans know the story from the 2005 Champions League final. That’s when Liverpool drew a game in which they were already 0-3 down! In the subsequent penalty shootout, the English side was the more successful – the job was done.

The 2007 final was also memorable. AC had only one goal – to avenge the cruel defeat in the 2005 final. And that, as we all know now, was achieved. The Italian giant celebrated its seventh Champions League title. Since then, there has been no more triumphs in the elite competition.

In fact, the bizarre fact of it all is that these two teams have never met in the Champions League before. Another fact with regard to the game that is fast approaching is that AC last beat an English side in February 2012. And that was a Champions League match, specifically Arsenal, who took a big slap in the face from Milan – 0:4!

Unfortunately, Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not help his team in Wednesday’s match. The Swedish superstar will not be able to play the match due to an achilles injury.

However, there is also one interesting thing about him. Zlatan is the player who has scored for the most clubs (6) in the Champions League history – Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, AC Milan and PSG.

However, probably the Milan team has nothing to worry about. The reason? Because in attack they have a specialist in scoring goals in Liverpool’s goal. Olivier Giroud.

The French striker has scored eight goals in 16 games against Liverpool in all competitions. And it covers the period Giroud has been in England – 2012/13 Arsenal, 2019/20 Chelsea. No other player has hit the Liverpool goal so many times in that period.

In terms of the current balance of power between the two clubs, both teams are in a similar position. Liverpool occupy third place in the Premier League with 10 points and a great 9::1 record. AC Milan have not lost a point in Serie A after three games and are second in the table.

The question whether AC Milan can dominate the Champions League already this season is very difficult to answer. However, if we look at the paper predictions, several other clubs are favoured to win the overall title. In addition, the first year, especially after such a long break, can be very difficult, especially in the best competition in the world.

How this match will turn out is also in the stars. However, we can probably look forward to a great show. Kickoff is scheduled for 21:00, so don’t miss it!

Sources: AC Milan, Livesport