Europa League Quarterfinals First Leg: AC Milan's Favor to De Rossi, and How Many More Shots Will Liverpool Miss?

The Europa League quarterfinals first leg continued in the early hours of April 12th, featuring compelling matchups. AC Milan faces AS Roma in a fixture dripping with narrative as Daniele De Rossi, having taken over after Mourinho's dismissal, meets the team that inadvertently gave him his first managerial job. Meanwhile, Liverpool return to Anfield to face Atalanta after a frustrating weekend in the Premier League. Here’s a detailed look at the two fixtures.

AC Milan vs. AS Roma - Will De Rossi Repay the Favor?

AC Milan's focus in 2024 has largely been on their European campaign, and their fans are delighted with their domestic performance. The Rossoneri have almost secured their spot in next season's Champions League and currently hold more points in Serie A than they did at the same stage in their title-winning season. In their last league match, Milan’s potent attack dismantled Lecce 3-0, showcasing the form that has four players with double-digit goals this season, a feat not seen in 15 years.

In the Europa League round of 16, Milan faced Slavia Prague, scoring seven goals over two legs. Despite conceding two goals that gave their opponents a glimmer of hope, Milan extinguished those hopes with a dominant first-half performance in the second leg. If Rafael Leão hadn’t been battling his own frustrations, Milan might have scored even more. Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been particularly prolific in the Europa League, with four goals to his name and a strong chance to contend for the tournament's top scorer.

Daniele De Rossi's tenure at Roma has been marked by a remarkable turnaround. Following a victory over their city rivals Lazio, De Rossi's win tally as Roma's head coach hit double figures. Calls for his permanent appointment echo through the Stadio Olimpico. In their round of 16 tie against Brighton, Roma displayed championship-like intensity, tearing through the Premier League side’s defense with ease. Though Italian teams defeating English opposition isn’t rare, such a decisive victory is exceptional. However, since that 4-0 win, Roma’s attacking prowess has waned, with only one game featuring more than one goal and two matches where they were shut out completely. It raises questions about whether the new manager effect is wearing off.

Milan’s league double over Roma this season is notable, with De Rossi assuming his role the day after the second defeat. It’s ironic that Milan’s victories helped De Rossi secure his position at Roma. Will De Rossi repay Milan’s ‘favor’ by knocking them out of the Europa League? Milan is expected to showcase 20% of their potential strength, whereas Roma's ongoing attacking struggles suggest they might continue to underperform.

Liverpool vs. Atalanta - How Many More Shots Will They Miss?

Liverpool's Europa League journey this season has been a mix of adaptation and dominance. The Reds started the competition with a sense of a fallen giant, but Jürgen Klopp has no intention of being underestimated. In the round of 16, Liverpool annihilated Czech champions Sparta Prague with an aggregate score of 11-0, the highest combined goal tally in the round. However, Klopp has been frustrated domestically, as evidenced by their recent Premier League clash against Manchester United.

In that match, Liverpool's attackers, including Mohamed Salah, consistently missed clear-cut chances. Astonishingly, they managed to miss at least five close-range shots, often sending the ball skyward rather than wide. This anomaly cannot easily be explained by natural phenomena. Facing Atalanta, who knocked out Portuguese giants Sporting CP in the last round, Liverpool’s challenge is clear. Gianluca Scamacca, who returned to Italy from West Ham and scored in both legs, was pivotal for Atalanta’s advancement. He aims to continue his European success this season.

Liverpool and Atalanta previously met in the 2020-2021 Champions League group stage, with both teams winning away from home and advancing to the knockout rounds. Liverpool's 5-0 away win was followed by a home defeat, partly due to underestimation. Klopp is unlikely to repeat that mistake. Liverpool is expected to perform at 30% of their full strength, while Atalanta might manage 10%, ensuring they remain competitive.

Tactical Insights and Key Players

AC Milan’s success hinges on their attacking quartet, which has been exceptional this season. Rafael Leão, though battling internal frustrations, is a key player whose form can significantly influence the outcome. Ruben Loftus-Cheek's European performance has been stellar, and his contributions will be crucial. Milan’s tactical approach will likely focus on exploiting Roma’s defensive vulnerabilities and maintaining their offensive pressure.

Roma’s strategy under De Rossi has seen mixed results. Their initial resurgence was driven by high-intensity attacking football, but recent struggles indicate a need for tactical adjustments. Players like Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala must step up to revive Roma’s attacking threat. Defensively, Roma needs to be more cohesive to withstand Milan’s onslaught.

Liverpool’s challenge against Atalanta will be converting their chances. Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, and Roberto Firmino must find their finishing touch. Midfield control, provided by players like Thiago Alcântara and Fabinho, will be essential in dictating the game’s pace. Defensively, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker need to remain vigilant against Atalanta’s counter-attacks.

Atalanta’s Gianluca Scamacca is pivotal, given his recent goal-scoring form. Their tactical approach will likely focus on quick transitions and exploiting Liverpool’s defensive lapses. Midfielders like Marten de Roon and Remo Freuler must control the tempo and provide support to their attackers.

Psychological Factors and Home Advantage

Psychological resilience will play a significant role in these fixtures. AC Milan’s confidence from their domestic form and recent Europa League success provides a psychological edge. Playing at the San Siro with passionate home support further boosts their morale. Maintaining focus and composure under pressure will be crucial.

Roma, despite recent struggles, can draw confidence from their initial resurgence under De Rossi. The players’ belief in their new manager and the desire to prove themselves on a European stage will be motivating factors. Overcoming their recent scoring drought and staying defensively organized will be vital.

Liverpool’s Anfield advantage is well-known, with the home crowd providing an intimidating atmosphere for opponents. Despite their recent domestic frustration, Liverpool’s European pedigree and Klopp’s tactical acumen give them a psychological boost. The key will be converting chances and maintaining defensive solidity.

Atalanta faces a challenging away fixture, but their previous success against Liverpool at Anfield offers a psychological advantage. Their resilience and ability to capitalize on Liverpool’s defensive lapses will be crucial. Staying composed under pressure and executing their game plan efficiently will determine their success.

Potential Outcomes and Broader Implications

The outcomes of these quarterfinal fixtures will have significant implications for the involved teams. AC Milan, with a win, would solidify their position as strong contenders for the Europa League title. Their continued success in Europe and domestic competitions reflects their strategic planning and squad depth.

Roma’s performance against Milan will be a litmus test for De Rossi’s managerial capabilities. A positive result would bolster his chances of securing the managerial position permanently and boost the team’s morale for the remainder of the season. Overcoming their recent attacking struggles will be a key focus.

Liverpool’s result against Atalanta will influence their European campaign’s trajectory. A convincing win would restore their confidence and demonstrate their ability to compete at the highest level. Klopp’s tactical adjustments and the team’s resilience will be critical in navigating through this fixture.

Atalanta, with a positive result, would reinforce their status as a formidable European team. Their tactical discipline and ability to exploit Liverpool’s weaknesses will be crucial. Advancing further in the Europa League would be a significant achievement and boost their domestic campaign’s morale.

In conclusion, the Europa League quarterfinals first leg promises exciting matchups with tactical battles, psychological factors, and significant implications for the teams involved. AC Milan’s favor to De Rossi, Liverpool’s quest for finishing accuracy, and the contrasting fortunes of Roma and Atalanta add to the intrigue. Fans can expect high-quality football, strategic depth, and compelling narratives as these teams strive for European glory.