Ac Milan and Barcelona might be setting themselves in a big brawl on Wednesday at San Siro, but there’s actually plenty respect flowing from both teams when speaking about each others to the press.
In the press conference ahead of the match Milan through their tactician, Massimiliano Allegri along with main striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, spoke how brilliant their opponent are but of course the Italian won’t give up their qualification chance easily.
Explaining to the media, Allegri revealed that his team are feeling relax and ready to face Barca again in this knock out stage after both teams already play each other in the group stage earlier in the season. The Italian coach promised to play an attacking approach against the Catalan army, not because they’re overconfident but simply because the tactician acknowledged that his team doesn’t really have the characteristic to play deep in their on half effectively.
“We are relaxed. We arrive as one of the top eight sides in Europe, something that has not happened for four years, On a tactical level, today I will try some things. On a psychological level, I think that the game is of great attraction and in itself already provides great motivation. we have to play against them carefully, minimising mistakes, but still with an offensive mentality, playing with courage. I am convinced that this team struggles to defend on the edge of the box, like we did against Juventus in extra time,” Allegri said.
Meanwhile, Ibrahimovic, who was an ex-Barcelona player revealed his admiration towards the Catalan squad, stating that they are obviously the best team in the world at the moment but he and his team is ready to face them. The Swede international also had the time to embrace his short time with the Blaurgrana stating that although things didn’t work out well for him, it was still a worthwhile memory for the attacker.
“We are ready. I don’t know what will happen but I do know that wel” try our best. The whole team has to play a perfect game, including myself. We are playing against the best team in the world in the last five years,” Ibrahimovic said. “When I went to Barcelona it was a dream come true for me. I am disappointed that it only last a season but these things happen in football. It was a huge honour for me and I won lots when I was there. It was my best debut season ever. I am proud of my time at Barca and I hope they win the league. “