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Andrew Cesare Richardson

AC Milan legend Franco Baresi said he was excited to see one of Europe’s most “historic rivalries” played out in Hong Kong when his old club visit the city this summer.
Monday saw the announcement of the Hong Kong Football Festival 2025 at Kai Tak Stadium, in which Milan will take on Liverpool on July 26 before Arsenal face Tottenham five days later.
The Rossoneri have been crowned European champions on seven occasions, while Liverpool have won the same trophy six times.
The two sides met in the 2005 and 2007 Champions League final, with each earning a victory – and Baresi is looking forward to watching the rivalry continue in Hong Kong.
“When you play for a great club like Milan and you travel the world, you always have a responsibility to do your best and respect the job at hand as well as to people who have come to watch,” Baresi told the Post. “We have a historic rivalry with Liverpool so it’s always an important match. Between us, we’ve been champions of Europe 13 times.”

Baresi, who retired in 1997, last played in Hong Kong in a pre-season tour in 1995, when, a month after losing the Champions League final to Ajax, they beat South China 2-1 in the BB Telecom Super Champions Cup.
“When I was here with Milan, we were the best team in the world,” Baresi added. “We came after our third Champions League final in a row, five in seven years.
“Being in Hong Kong was a great experience which I still remember fondly.”
Milan returned in 2004 with Baresi’s former defensive teammates Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta in their ranks and were beaten 2-1 by Kitchee.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Baresi arrived in the city for the opening of Milan’s first academy in Hong Kong and the World Cup-winner said he hoped this would help develop the city’s youth beyond the confines of sport.
“It’s a very important project,” he said. “Football can help children, not just from a sporting aspect, but also to grow as a person.
“It’s important, therefore, to have the right people running an academy to transmit these values.”
Despite its vast population, Asia has failed to produce many top-level footballers, and even fewer who have made the grade at Europe’s elite clubs.
“Young players need to remain enthusiastic and passionate,” Baresi said. “Never lose that and, as we know, you just never know in the future.
“You have to give them a chance, always believe. Like I always tell people: I never thought I would achieve what I did. When I was eight or nine, I was just having fun and enjoying myself. With the right guidance, you can achieve great things.
“I know it seems basic, but children right now are just enjoy playing and have that passion. Some will grow, some might follow a different sport, some may do something different.”


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Italian Serie A

AC Milan legend Franco Baresi excited for ‘historic’ Liverpool rivalry in Hong Kong

Franco Baresi outside the Kai Tak Stadium during the Hong Kong Sevens. Photo: AC Milan

Franco Baresi poses for a photo outside the new Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong. Photo: AC Milan

Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs, AC Milan to play in Hong Kong football festival this summer

Kai Tak Stadium hosted the Hong Kong Sevens from Friday to Sunday. Photo: May Tse

The clubs’ former stars (from left) David James (Liverpool), Franco Baresi (Milan), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal) and Ledley King (Tottenham) at Monday’s announcement. Photo: Jonathan Wong

AC Milan legend Franco Baresi officially opens club’s new academy in Hong Kong

Franco Baresi (right) poses with an AC Milan shirt. Photo: AC Milan

AC Milan legend Franco Baresi (back, fourth from right) with children in Rossoneri shirts after opening the club’s academy in Hong Kong. Photo: AC Milan

Sport

Football

The Rossoneri will face the Reds as part of the Festival of Football 2025, which will also feature Arsenal and Tottenham


The Rossoneri will face the Reds as part of the Festival of Football 2025, which will also feature Arsenal and Tottenham.


AC Milan legend Franco Baresi excited for ‘historic’ Liverpool rivalry in Hong Kong

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The Rossoneri will face the Reds as part of the Festival of Football 2025, which will also feature Arsenal and Tottenham

The Rossoneri will face the Reds as part of the Festival of Football 2025, which will also feature Arsenal and Tottenham