Sky reported Peppe Di Stefano has hinted that the Europa League tie against Manchester United has come at the wrong time for Milan.
The Rossoneri did not make things easy for themselves in reaching the last 16 as they were taken all the way by Red Star, eventually prevailing on away goals after a 3-3 draw on aggregate.
The reward for reaching the last 16 of the competition is a very tough two-legged tie against Premier League title hopefuls Manchester United, a team that they have beaten in four of the five European two-legged ties they have had dating all the way back to the 1950s.
Given that Milan haven’t scored from open play in their last four games and are struggling to keep goals out, it seems a hard draw on paper. Di Stefano spoke to Sky Italia about the draw that pits Milan and Manchester United together in European competition once again.
“This match tastes like a Champions League one. This morning after training the players stayed here at Milanello together with the management and staff to follow the draw. When Manchester United were drawn, there were smiles that seemed like mockery, but there are also those who say that to become great you have to play these kinds of games,” he said (via MilanNews).
“If such a draw had come a month ago, it would have been faced with greater serenity. Now the moment is negative, but I have seen the desire to reverse the current situation. The physiological decline is there, but against United, Bennacer and Mandzukic should return. The DNA of Milan is a European DNA, they have never been afraid of anything. The draw must be accepted and faced.”
