Josip Ilicic knows Atalanta are dangerous in attack, but warned them to “avoid leaving spaces” to Valencia in the Champions League Round of 16.
The first leg kicks off on Wednesday at 20.00 GMT at San Siro.
“It’s going to be a very, very difficult match against a side that is of a high technical level. We also know our own strengths, will play to win, try not to make many errors and get a positive result,” said Ilicic in his press conference.
Josip Ilicic knows Atalanta are dangerous in attack, but warned them to “avoid leaving spaces” to Valencia in the Champions League Round of 16.
The first leg kicks off on Wednesday at 20.00 GMT at San Siro.
“It’s going to be a very, very difficult match against a side that is of a high technical level. We also know our own strengths, will play to win, try not to make many errors and get a positive result,” said Ilicic in his press conference.
“We must not leave spaces, we have to all help the defence and then take our opportunities. We forwards play to score goals, but that can’t be all that we do.”
Ilicic missed two of the biggest games in the group stage, so is he excited about this knockout fixture?
“In a competition like the Champions League, this type of match is what we’ve been building towards. I suffered when I couldn’t contribute, but I knew the team would do well even without me.”
Ilicic has not yet scored his first Champions League goal, missing a penalty in the first leg with Shakhtar Donetsk.
“That’s all forgotten. All that matters to me is that the team wins, regardless of who scores the goals. I think we all deserve to be at this stage in Europe, everyone in the squad.”