The AC Milan head coach concedes that the tie against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 will be a tough one but mentions that they will be in pole position for glory if they knock Barca out.
Massimiliano Allegri did not seem dejected after learning that AC Milan will play Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
They have been drawn against the team everyone wanted to avoid at this stage, but Allegri remains upbeat despite the tough task at hand.
The tactician gave an interview after the draw was made, and was consequently quizzed for his opinion on the issue to which he remarked:
“Little changes really and we’ve already faced them. They are the strongest team in the world, but we have to believe. Milan will give their best.”
The San Siro outfit were in the same group as Barcelona, and they were the two sides to progress through from their group. The group stage encounters were tightly fought and there was not much to differentiate
the two sides. The first tie was at the Nou Camp, which ended in a 2-2 draw, and the reverse fixture at the Giuseppe Meazza was won by Barca 3-2.
The manager exclaimed that his team has learnt a lot from the two encounters, and it will help them in their preparations for the two-legged quarter-finals. Diverting attention to their domestic endeavours,
the former Cagliari manager remarked that they have concerns besides the Catalan side, and stated:
“The squad is not scared, but, I repeat, it is too soon to be thinking about Barca. We have Parma, the Italian Cup game against Juventus and then http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603 first.”
Allegri has had a lot of injuries to contend with this season, and is hopeful that all his star players will be available at his disposal for the Champions League tie. He is hopeful that http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robinho-c31382, Alexandre
Pato and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kevin-Prince-Boateng-c20792 will be available in time for the clash against Barca.
Besides their attacking concerns, Allegri confessed to having selection concerns in defence too, remarking:
“I need to make some decisions in defence – especially at left-back between Mesbah, Zambrotta and Antonini.”
The winner of the tie will go on to play either Benfica or http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 in the semi-finals.
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