Franco Baresi and Daniele Massaro both believe that it is time for AC Milan to assert themselves in the Champions League after their return to the competition last season.
Milan were drawn in Group E for the 2022-23 edition of the Champions League and they are joined by Chelsea (winners in 2020-21), Red Bull Salzburg (the Austrian champions) and Dinamo Zagreb (the Croatian champions).
While there is no such thing as an easy game in Europe’s elite club competition, it is undeniably a more straightforward group on paper compared to last season’s, in which the Rossoneri were pitted against Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and Porto.
Franco Baresi gave his thoughts on the opponents as he spoke live to MilanTV from Istanbul after the draw.
“When you hear the Champions League tune it’s always exciting. We had a splendid year and Milan must present themselves. this year aware of his own strength, meeting all the teams with great spirit and great determination: we can do well,” he said (via MilanNews).
“We must be good at raising the bar, be ambitious; last year we made a good impression and got awareness, this year we must assert ourselves also at an international level. AC Milan are always respected in Europe.”
Daniele Massaro – an ambassador for the Rossoneri club – also spoke to MilanTV from Istanbul after the draw to reflect on the opponents.
“The group is better than last year. We are Italian Champions and starting from the first pot allows you to do not take the teams that have won a trophy and a title. It is a group in which we can do absolutely well,” he said.
“One more year of experience, compared to last season, will certainly be useful: we can be protagonists. Milan must return to being a protagonist in Europe as it has been for many years. This is where it belongs.”
