Old rivals Liverpool and AC Milan went head-to-head in the Champions League once again on Thursday night.

But if Christian Pulisic’s third-minute opener had lured neutral observers into a false sense of security, the following 87 rather brutally proved that this is not a Milan side boasting the same world-leading talent as in those iconic clashes with Liverpool back in 2005 and 2007.

Like they did in Istanbul 19 years ago, Liverpool came roaring back.

Two headers from Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk meant Arne Slot’s side went into the interval in the lead, before a thrilling, almost Thierry Henry-esque Cody Gakpo carry assisted Dominik Szoboszlai to wrap up the three points just past the hour mark.

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And Zvonimir Boban, the legendary Milan midfielder, was left with a real sense of concern about the direction in which his beloved Rossoneri side are heading.

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“Big problems for Milan.

There’s no game construction, the two centre-backs are very slow and clumsy, they lack the courage and personality to play the ball forward,” Boban sighs, speaking to Sky Italia.

“In midfield, no one takes responsibility for doing more concrete and important things, like getting the ball to the wings or the forwards.”

While under-fire Milan boss Paulo Fonseca highlighted the prancing Mo Salah as Liverpool’s biggest dangerman – he hit the bar twice in the first-half alone – Boban feels that there are massive problems in the centre of the park too.

Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and the in-form Ryan Gravenberch comfortably got the better of home trio Tijjani Reijnders, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Youssouf Fofana.

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And Boban feels that Milan are feeling the effects of the controversial £60 million sale of fan favourite and boyhood Rossoneri fanatic Sandro Tonali to Newcastle United back in 2023.

Tonali not only took to St James’ Park with fine passing range and his all-action athleticism, but also his fierce loyalty to the badge.

“Milan sold Tonali, their best Italian player who was very attached to the shirt,” adds a frustrated Boban, part of Fabio Capello’s 1994 Champions League-winning Rossoneri side.

“Seeing him away from Milan is a disappointment, and these things come at a cost.”

Boban claims that, such was Tonali’s desire to don the red-and-black shirt he had worn so much as a child adoring Kaka, Andrea Pirlo and co, the Italy international even snubbed a £35 million move to Juventus.

“To join Milan, he turned down Juventus, who had offered 42 million euros to Brescia,” the two-time Croatian Footballer of the Year argues.

“These are values that should never be lost.”

Two years on, while an out-of-sorts Milan side are struggling to adapt to life under their new head coach, Tonali is building up his match sharpness again after missing most of last season due to a betting ban.

The 24-year-old has shown little sign of rust since his return, however.

Tonali was one of Newcastle’s stand-out performers in the Carabao Cup victory over Nottingham Forest, helped turn around a 1-0 deficit at Wolves, and dazzled during Italy’s 3-1 UEFA Nations League victory over France in the international break.

“His performance was magnificent,” Azzurri boss Luciano Spalletti told RAI Sport after Tonali’s sumptuous backheel flick set up an equally-stunning Federico Dimarco volley.

“We were afraid he wouldn’t have 90 minutes in his legs, but in the last five minutes he sprinted down the flank and went clear on goal by himself!”

“We have rediscovered a fantastic player.”


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