Milan assistant manager Mauro Tassotti reveals M’Baye Niang “is the centre-forward” in tonight’s line-up against Barcelona.
Milan assistant manager Mauro Tassotti reveals M’Baye Niang “is the centre-forward” in tonight’s line-up against Barcelona.
The Rossoneri won the first leg 2-0 and step into the Camp Nou at 19.45 GMT for a place in the Champions League quarter-final. Click here for the line-ups.
“When a player starts his career, he dreams of playing in a game like this,” said Tassotti.
“We must repeat the performance from the first leg. They will try to play quicker and complained about our pitch, but we had also watered the field at San Siro…
“We must try to defend and be dangerous on the counter-attack. We’ll defend high and not on the edge of our penalty area.
“Niang will take Giampaolo Pazzini’s place with Kevin-Prince Boateng in the role he has been playing over the last few games.
“We need a player who can hold the ball and stretch out their defence. Niang has those characteristics. He has to make his pace count in space.”
Kevin Constant has been picked instead of Mattia De Sciglio in defence, while Philippe Mexes passed a fitness test.
“It was a choice based on experience and physicality. Constant played very well in the first leg and hasn’t featured recently due to a fitness problem, so he is well-rested and naturally left-footed.
“We have been thinking about this game since the final whistle against Genoa on Friday. Finally the time has come to play!”