Why San Siro has so many empty seats for Liverpool Champions League clash vs AC Milan
Liverpool face AC Milan in the Champions League tonight, but the game is set to be played in front of hundreds of empty seats. The Reds kickstart their league phase campaign with a trip to San Siro - a ground they haven't lost at for 59 years.
Arne Slot's side suffered their first defeat of the season on Saturday, losing 1-0 against Nottingham Forest. They had won their opening three matches before the international break, but will now be keen to bounce back as they prepare for a return to Europe's elite club competition after a one-year absence.
As for Milan, Paulo Fonseca's men secured their first win of the campaign over the weekend as they thrashed Venezia 4-0. Having failed to secure a victory from their opening three fixtures, Milan got off the mark with a convincing success at San Siro, with ex-Chelsea star Tammy Abraham among the scorers.
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Why are there empty seats at the San Siro?
There had been some discontent going into the game against Venezia and that spread into its ticket sales for the clash with Liverpool. 71,273 fans attended Saturday's Serie A fixture, but there is expected to be considerably less for Tuesday's Champions League game, as supporters prepare for a 'fan protest' over ticket prices.
The heightened ticket prices compared to league matches is the overriding factor behind why San Siro won't have as many spectators for the game against Liverpool. The cheapest available tickets are €74 (£62) each, with the cheapest in the lower tiers being a staggering €124 (£104.50). In comparison, Liverpool's most expensive regular adult seat in the Champions League this season is £61.
Milan fans are to protest against those prices, with hundreds of empty seats expected inside San Siro. That isn't the greatest outlook for both the club and the Champions League, with this fixture looking a standout from the first matchday considering both are former winners of the competition.
What have AC Milan said?
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Fonseca said: "The fans' support is always crucial to us. It was important on Saturday, when we arrived at the stadium, before and after the game. It’s fundamental to have the fans’ support. We must feel their love," as quoted by Milannews.
"I think victories boost self-esteem for the fans and the players. It will be a different match after the win against Venezia. I thought we were improving even before the game, but victories boost confidence."