Technical director, Paolo Maldini, spoke to Sky ahead of the clash against Liverpool at the Anfield stadium. Here are his statements:
“Milan is Milan, it's not mine but of the people who love it and I'm one of them. You can hear the game, the atmosphere does the rest. After 18 months without an audience, making the debut in this stadium is an important sign."
As an executive, is it one of the days you got the most excited?
"It's exciting for the Milan galaxy, only those who have tried it can know what a thrill it is to play games like this. Having contributed to returning to this competition is a source of pride."
The objectives:
"Every year we try to improve what we did the previous year. Being in the top 4 is our main goal. We are not yet at the level of the strongest but we have to compete. Milan must enter through the main door."
On Jurgen Klopp:
"We met, he was very happy with AC Milan's return to the Champions League. There is always a lot of respect between people who have lived through these experiences."
Can Anfield create difficulties?
“It could be a factor. We saw our team at the San Siro test, many argued that a good part of our last year was due to the empty stadiums. Playing a match like this, for many boys, it is the first time for them in this competition, with the cheering, the passion here which is incredible, it could unfortunately be a factor for Liverpool."
Did you give any particular advice to the team?
"Nothing in particular, we aim to keep our fighting spirit. We must be careful because they are dangerous but we know that they also have defects, we must be ourselves and try to exploit those who are their defects"
