AC Milan Rade Krunic has played down the importance of the Rossoneri’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Speaking during an interview with Milan TV (via SempreMilan.it), the Bosnian midfielder tried to stress that Milan are treating the match against the Premier League side like any other game, despite their being a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League up for grabs.
“It’s a match like any other, obviously a bit more important because it’s a Champions League round of 16 game. Inside we find something more than usual, but we have to play it like all the others. Obviously the emotions are different from one player to another, what he feels inside. For me it is a game like any other and we will try to do our best,” Krunic said.
He also explained that Milan know what Tottenham are capable and they are expecting a different game to the first leg which ended 1-0 to the Rossoneri at San Siro thanks to Brahim Diaz’s goal.
“For sure we learned something, but almost all of us players, staff, already knew them well before the first leg. We all have to know that they are really a different team away from home and at home, they play differently. We are prepared for a different game than the first leg,” the midfielder said.
Krunic admitted that it feels like a different pace and level when facing English teams although it was not a problem in the first leg.
“I have played several games against English teams. Definitely when we play the Premier League teams it feels like a different pace and I think it is. Then the first leg I think was a normal game, although it is true that the opponent can go at a different pace. I think we used our rhythm and played our game,” Krunic explained.
When asked about the difference between Champions League and Serie A games, Krunic alluded to the fact that for some in the squad, these knockout games are new.
“Every game is different and very difficult to face, especially mentally. For many of us to be in these knockout games is something new, it’s not like in the league where there is only one result and you get 3, 1 or 0 points. Here only one team progresses, we are prepared for everything and for whatever result comes,” he said.
🗣️ One-to-one with the Coach and Rade on the eve of the Spurs game
🗣️ #TOTACM: le interviste esclusive alla vigilia del ritorno di Champions#UCL #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/VGnFz2dnU4
— AC Milan (@acmilan) March 7, 2023
No Krunic it’s not. Be a man and don’t do this typical bs where it’s cool to pretend every game is the same. It’s not. It’s huge. Step up to the plate.