AC Milan manager DISTRACTED ahead of Liverpool Champions League clash

AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca has bigger things on his mind ahead of his side's Champions League game with Liverpool.

The Reds travel to Italy to take on Milan in both sides' first game of the 2024-25 Champions League season, but Fonseca has admitted something that should give Arne Slot more confidence.

Both Milan and Liverpool have a busy fixture schedule following the international break, with the Reds set to face Bournemouth at Anfield four days after kicking off their European adventure.

READ MORE: Liverpool injury news & return dates vs AC Milan

Fonseca has a much more difficult task on the horizon after facing Liverpool, with the Milan derby taking place on Sunday, 22 September.

After beating Venezia 4-0 on Saturday, Fonseca admitted that his mind was not fully on the Liverpool clash.

Fonseca not fully focused on Liverpool

The Milan manager's comments show that his priority is as much the Serie A rivalry with Inter Milan as it is the visit of Liverpool.

That could hand Liverpool an advantage as Slot's side will be eager to bounce back with a statement victory in Europe after a disappointing domestic performance, and the Reds will not be distracted by any future games, unlike their Champions League opponents.

“I have to be honest, I already started thinking about both games against Liverpool and Inter," Fonseca admitted.

“I realise the importance of the derby, Liverpool will be very difficult, but I cannot deny I have already started studying Inter too. I know what it means to the fans, we are working to have good performances in both matches.”

Fonseca's record vs Liverpool

The Portuguese manager has managed many clubs in European competition, including Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Roma and Lille, but this season's Champions League will be the first time he faces Liverpool.

Additionally, Fonseca never came face-to-face with Slot in Europe.

Liverpool and AC Milan do have European history, most notably the 2004-05 Champions League final where the Reds came from behind to make history in that iconic game in Istanbul.

Trailing 3-0 at half-time, Liverpool looked set to see their tournament end in failure, but we all know what happened next.

The two sides have also played three other times in the Champions League, with AC Milan winning the 2007 final 2-1 in Athens.

More recently, the 2021-22 group stage saw Liverpool win both home and away, with Mohamed Salah scoring at San Siro before Divock Origi gave the Reds a 2-1 away win.

More of the same on Tuesday night, please. Especially if Fonseca's thoughts are on his city rivals.