AC Milan’s honorary vice president Franco Baresi believes that the draw for the Champions League quarter-finals has put the Rossoneri against a ‘difficult opponent’ who will be favourites for the tie.
The draw for the quarters and the semi-finals of the competition took place this afternoon in Nyon at the UEFA headquarters and it saw Milan pitted against a domestic rival in Napoli, who are the runaway league leaders at the moment.
While on the one hand it means the likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Manchester City were avoided, it does mean a very tense two legs awaits in April and then either Inter or Benfica will be the opponent in the final four for whoever gets through.
Speaking to SportMediaset, Baresi reacted to the draw for the quarter-finals of the Champions League that sees Milan face Napoli, with his comments relayed by SempreMilan.it.
“Looking at the right, I don’t know if it could have been worse or not. Napoli are a difficult opponent who are having a great year, we should be good at raising the level and putting in a great performance,” he said.
“Who is the favourite? The Champions League always gives different sensations than the league. It is clear that if we had to look at the table, Napoli are the favourites because they are having a great season and must be respected.
“Osimhen proved to be a great striker, a finisher capable of scoring in all ways. The Milan defence will have to be good at keeping him away from the penalty area, but Napoli don’t just have him. They are a team to fear, we know their game and we have to show all our quality.
“Leao? I believe that when you play in the Champions League the level rises, the team has done a very good journey in Europe: we have reached the quarterfinals and we have to think positively. Milan has its history and we can only look positively to the future when certain competitions are played.
“History helps. Playing for Milan brings you responsibilities, I think we saw this again this year in the Champions League. We have made an important journey, I’m sorry to face an Italian side but we have shown that we can play.”
Am sure we are better than them, all we need is good luck then
Kalulu will mark Osimen.
Milan definitely qualify to semifinal, for sure.
I pray for acmilan wios to the next level of the champions competition froza milan all the way
i think it’s time we need to retune to our 4231 formation. That is the only way we could over come napoli attcers. With kalulu malik tomori theo @ the four back. And tonali bennacer @ the midfild, why the attcres should be meissias diaz leao Giroud i belive that this formation can help us through.
I agree, cause if we sit deep against Napoli they will pick us apart.
Remember the 1st game we played against them? That was a great game we played because we went at them. Obviously a lot us happened since then where Napoli got better and we seem to have regressed slightly.
I think this draw isn’t the worst honestly because we know the opposition.
I think the approach we need here is to stand up and not fear them, I don’t see a reason to fear them at all!!
If we got Bayern, City or Real then I could see that happening, but we got a team who are having a fantastic season yes, but! I don’t think it’s as one sided as outsiders who maybe don’t watch Serie A as often, for those who just see the table. Maybe they won’t see,understand or know what we know.
This is Mister’s biggest test! This will either introduce him to Europe’s elite tacticians or confirm him as the ‘nearly there’ coach.
I’m excited and backing him… we have nothing to lose.
Forza Milan
Forza Pioli
Yes! Yes!! Ac Milan all the way!!❤️🖤