Demetrio Albertini admits that Atletico Madrid are favourites this week, but that opponents Milan cannot be written off.
The Rossoneri host Los Colchoneros in the first leg of the Champions League Last 16 on Wednesday evening.
Demetrio Albertini admits that Atletico Madrid are favourites this week, but that opponents Milan cannot be written off.
The Rossoneri host Los Colchoneros in the first leg of the Champions League Last 16 on Wednesday evening.
One man to have represented both clubs is Albertini and so he has reflected on the upcoming clash and who may be in the best shape heading into it.
“Atletico have been modernised and the team are fighting with the best. They have won the Europa League and the Supercopa,” began Albertini to AS today.
“Yes Atletico has an advantage, they are favourite, for their place in La Liga, but do not forget one thing.
“The Champions League is Milan’s home. They have seven European Cups, the history is there.
“Atletico are having an impressive season, maintaining the pace with Madrid and Barcelona and playing with a lot of determination.
“They are very dangerous because they have the confidence of a winning team.
“How should Milan face them? I’m not a Coach, it is not my field. That is what you should ask Seedorf.
“Atletico seems like an Argentine or Italian team since Simeone’s arrival. They are tough. Above all they are a balanced team.
“The Coach has conveyed a very definite style and character. Balance is the mark and character of Atletico.
“Seedorf, on the other hand, has not had too much time to fix things, but the team has been reinforced in the winter and has improved.”
Albertini was asked by the Spanish publication why only one Italian side had progressed to the Last 16 this year.
“Napoli had some bad luck and Juventus went wrong in a couple of games, which you pay for in this competition.
“It is clear that we have lost the potential that we had in the 1990s. Italian teams are economically less powerful than a Madrid or a Barcelona. We have lost our place in the European ranking because we have also not been good in the Europa League.
“We had many teams in the 1990s, not only Juventus and Milan, but also Fiorentina, Lazio, Inter, Parma, there was a great level…”