Milan full-back Davide Calabria stressed the Rossoneri are ‘ready’ for the home game against FC Porto in the Champions League. ‘It’s our last chance’.
The Rossoneri prepare for the big game against the Portuguese giants and aim to bounce back from three straight defeats with a win at San Siro.
Milan are in a difficult situation with zero points from three games and need perfect performances and some help from the others to get through to the last 16 of the competition.
But Calabria, who has been ever-present in the Champions League this term, believes Milan are up for the task in hand.
“We will be ready, it’s the last possibility to remain in the Champions League,” Calabria said at a press conference. “We believe in it. We have the qualities to play a great game and go through. We must believe in it until the last minute.”
The Rossoneri are flying in Serie A with 10 wins in 11 games but have struggled in Europe, where they are bottom with three straight defeats against Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and FC Porto.
“There have been episodes that have led to this ranking,” he said. “I don’t think we deserve it, but we have to take them into account.
“I’m convinced that there are possibilities, starting tomorrow, to do better. In the championship, it’s everyone’s merit, we believe in what we are doing and it shows.
“In the Champions League we have to do more and we will try to do it from tomorrow.”
Calabria is one of the symbols of the Diavolo’s growth in recent years and he wants to take the form to Europe.
“I call the Champions League the competition of details, there have been some going against us,” he said. “This has given us this position, we are sorry because we deserved more.
“There’s not much to say, we have to start tomorrow by doing better than in the last match. I think it was the only wrong step. Tomorrow will be very important and we must show what we can do.”
Calabria was asked about the controversial refereeing decisions in the 2-1 win over Roma last weekend and the youngster believes the Rossoneri deserved the win.
“There will always be incidents in football, everyone can make mistakes and even the referees,” he said. “You have to be stronger than everything.
“I don’t think they harmed Roma, we were better on the pitch, but they said that too. It was a well-deserved win.”
The Italy international spoke about the feeling of playing in the Champions League at San Siro, in front of the Rossoneri fans.
“It means a lot, it’s something we have always dreamed of,” he said. “I have worked hard to get here. I hope there will be many fans to support us tomorrow.
“They are the 12th man and it’s a fantastic stadium when it’s full of people. I hope we will make you happy and play a great match.
“I think that we have always given our best even with our backs against the wall, it’s something we really believe in.”
Calabria said Stefano Pioli has ‘helped me a lot’ and stressed he will always be available to play in the position the coach asks him to.
“He helped me a lot, at the beginning we struggled a bit but then the work was fundamental,” Calabria added. “It’s a matter of trust, of believing in what you do, giving everything you have on the pitch.
“If we are all pulling in the same direction, the results will arrive. I will never ask the coach where to let me play, I think it’s his job and I can help in more roles if needed.
“Surely, it’s positive to always play in the same position. You gain confidence and work better with your teammates. It’s positive in my opinion.”