Former boss Arrigo Sacchi has described AC Milan’s Champions League group as ‘very tough’ but believes they must give their ‘soul’ to progress.
Milan secured their return to the Champions League after a seven-year absence after finishing second in Serie A last season, but unfortunately such a long time away from Europe’s elite club competition had taken a hit on the coefficient ranking meaning that the Diavolo were put in pot four.
The produced an interesting outcome as Milan were drawn in Group B alongside some familiar foes. Six-time winners Liverpool are one of them, meaning the two teams will face off for the first time since the Athens 2007 final, while Atletico Madrid are another side and they were Milan’s last opponents in the Champions League all the way back in 2014.
Sacchi spoke about the Champions League group that will soon await the Rossoneri during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, during an event to mark the inauguration of the exhibition ‘Beyond the dream’, to celebrate the honours he won in his career.
“If I look at our teams participating in the next Champions League, I must say that Milan and Atalanta are the ones that have the most international mentality, while Inter and Juventus are more daughters of our tradition. Milan have got a strong group with Liverpool, Atlético Madrid and Porto: all tough opponents,” he said (via PianetaMilan).
“I hope the Rossoneri give their soul to move forward in Europe , also because the Champions League is the only event that guarantees money and gives the club world visibility. And the debut will be at Anfield against Liverpool, not a walk in the park. But Pioli’s team, let’s not forget, last year gave Manchester United a hard time
“Milan are young, perhaps inexperienced for certain stages, but they have team spirit, have a clear and modern game and can have their say even in a very tough group.”
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