On the sidelines of the Champions League playoff draw event, AC Milan's honorary vice president, Franco Baresi, spoke to Sky Sport 24 to comment on the matchup with Feyenoord as well as Sunday's derby.
Avoiding Juventus, then there's Feyenoord:
"Yes, it's better this way, better to avoid an all-Italian clash. But we're diving back into the Champions League with great respect for Feyenoord as well because we know that in these competitions, you can never underestimate anyone."
What does this team need to regain its pride? Baresi replied:
"Certainly, we wanted to avoid this round. We were in a position to do so, to advance to the Round of 16 smoothly, but instead, we complicated things for ourselves. I think there was great disappointment, bitterness—first and foremost, the team, the players are disappointed. Now we need to bounce back with determination and focus. We know that when teams face Milan, their level of attention is at its peak, so we have to be prepared, united, and regroup. In difficult situations, everyone needs to have the ability to self-reflect and step up. I believe we have the quality and the ability to recover."
As a Milan legend and part of its history, what message do you send to the Milan world?
"The message is to always stay positive, to be able to move past what has happened and look ahead with confidence. We must remember that we played some great games in the Champions League, so we can't forget that. We have quality, and we must believe in it, not lose faith in our abilities and what we can achieve. We've faced great teams and shown that we can compete on equal terms when we are united, focused, and play with a strong team spirit. We need to enjoy playing together and making it difficult for our opponents, because when teams face us, it should be tough for them too."
How will Milan approach Sunday’s derby? Do you like the idea of another potential derby in the Champions League? Baresi said:
"One step at a time. Right now, Sunday’s league derby is ahead of us. It's another challenge, another battle. We have the experience from the Supercoppa match; they’ll be angry, and we need to be aware that derbies are fought until the very end. There will be an incredible atmosphere, and we have to be ready, regardless of the disappointment we felt in the Champions League. We need to show the mentality and personality that are required."
Is the derby coming at the right time to spark Milan back to life?
"That's my hope. Morale isn't sky-high, but we must be ready because this could be the game that gives us the boost to turn things around and get back on track."
