Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Football Reporting
Football Reporting

AC Milan

AC Milan return to Champions League for first time since 2014… and fans love last line-up filled with Prem cult heroes


AC MILAN are back in the big time tonight as they face Liverpool in the Champions League.

The game is a repeat of the 2005 and 2007 finals – and marks Milan’s first Champions League clash in seven years.

This AC Milan side lost 4-1 at Atletico Madrid in March 2014

6

This AC Milan side lost 4-1 at Atletico Madrid in March 2014

Stefano Pioli’s current vintage boasts the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Theo Hernandez and Spurs target Franck Kessie.

But their 2014 side also had plenty of fan favourites – including some former Premier League cult heroes.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

SunSport took a little look at the XI that Clarence Seedorf put out as Milan were knocked out in the round of 16 by Atletico Madrid back in March 2014.

CHRISTIAN ABBIATI

Long-serving goalkeeper donned the AC Milan shirt for 18 years, eventually hanging up his boots in 2016 and being succeeded by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

IGNAZIO ABATE

Full-back won 22 caps for Italy and represented Milan for a decade after rejoining the club in 2009.



ADIL RAMI

Adil Rami dated Pamela Anderson

6

Adil Rami dated Pamela AndersonCredit: AFP or licensors

A World Cup winner that previously dated Pamela Anderson – defender Adil Rami is still going strong at 35 with Troyes in his home country.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

DANIELE BONERA

Long-serving defender finished his playing career in 2019 with Villarreal after leaving Milan, but is now back at San Siro as assistant manager.

URBY EMANUELSON

Full-back Emanuelson had been on loan at Fulham in 2013, and would have another extremely underwhelming spell in English football with Sheffield Wednesday during the 2016-17 season – playing only one game.

NIGEL DE JONG

Nigel de Jong played for Milan between 2012 and 2016

6

Nigel de Jong played for Milan between 2012 and 2016Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Manchester City and Netherlands icon Nigel de Jong moved to Milan after leaving Etihad Stadium, spending four years at San Siro before winding his career down in the USA, Turkey, Germany and the Middle East.

MICHAEL ESSIEN

Chelsea icon Michael Essien joined Milan from the Blues after a glittering nine-year spell at Stamford Bridge but was never the same player as at his peak, spending one year at San Siro before moving to Panathinaikos, Persib Bandung and then Sabail, retiring in 2020.

ADEL TAARABT

Adel Taarabt bafflingly found himself on loan at Milan from QPR

6

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
Adel Taarabt bafflingly found himself on loan at Milan from QPRCredit: Getty – Contributor

Bizarrely, mercurial midfielder Adel Taarabt found himself on loan at Milan from QPR, having just been relegated with Fulham – he would join Benfica permanently in 2015, where he still plays aged 32.

ANDREA POLI

Andrea Poli threatened to emerge as a top midfielder at times for Milan but would eventually be sold to Bologna in 2017, where he stayed until joining Antalyaspor in Turkey this summer.

KAKA

Kaka returned to AC Milan for the 2013-14 Milan

6

Kaka returned to AC Milan for the 2013-14 MilanCredit: AFP

Brazilian legend Kaka had rejoined Milan from Real Madrid the previous summer, but his return was short and not that sweet – he left again for Orlando City in 2014, where he remained until retiring three years later.

MARIO BALOTELLI

Super Mario’s fantastic form during the 2013-14 campaign earned him a move to Liverpool that summer – but following his Anfield disaster he has since turned out for Nice, Marseille, Brescia, Monza and now Adana Demirspor.

Read our Transfer news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
Mario Balotelli's goals in 2014 earned him a move to Liverpool

6

Mario Balotelli’s goals in 2014 earned him a move to LiverpoolCredit: EPA





Source link

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

International

Liverpool will return to Premier League action on Sunday with a match at home to Brighton, after mixed fortunes for Jurgen Klopp’s squad members...

Arsenal

Arsenal are sweating on the fitness of some of their key players for the crucial trip to Manchester City in the Premier League on...

Champions League

The expanded 2024-25 Champions League could benefit Premier League clubs – and there’s even a chance the number of English clubs in the competition...

Liverpool

Liverpool have yet to make an announcement on the successor to Jurgen Klopp, with the Reds’ current manager calling time on his Anfield stint...