Clarence Seedorf says Milan cannot look at Napoli as ‘an examination’, but admits the weekend meeting is an important one.
The Rossoneri travel south to the San Paolo on Saturday evening for the Week 23 fixture substantially further down the table than their rivals.
“Tomorrow we face a great team,” Seedorf introduced to reporters today.
Clarence Seedorf says Milan cannot look at Napoli as ‘an examination’, but admits the weekend meeting is an important one.
The Rossoneri travel south to the San Paolo on Saturday evening for the Week 23 fixture substantially further down the table than their rivals.
“Tomorrow we face a great team,” Seedorf introduced to reporters today.
“Their moment of difficulty is based on recent results. But they are good, they have strong players. I expect to face a team in good shape.
“I do not think that the game is an examination for us though, our goal is to grow. Before you take an examination, you need many hours of study, and we have had few.
“This game is important for us, against a strong team, despite recent results.
“It’s a good time to see where we are, we will do everything to win. This will always be our mentality, whilst always with respect to the strength of this team.
“Benitez? He is a football great, he has travelled and has worked in several countries.
“He is an educated man, for this I expect to see a Napoli at their best. Precisely because of his experience that he has brought to the club.
“The planned line-up? Kaka is better, we hope he can recover. I have so many ideas [for the line-up tomorrow], but we also have some players who are not yet 100 per cent.
“I will have to wait before making my final decisions. There are positives, but I have to wait.
“Essien and Taarabt have integrated well. Bonera has a small issue, Kaka is affected [through illness]. Silvestre is recovered, but he needs to train.”
Seedorf also spoke to Milan Channel and was asked about travelling out to Madrid last weekend to catch Milan’s Champions League Last 16 opponents in person.
“I took the opportunity to go to Madrid, Champions League matches are based on details. Seeing them with my own eyes is more help. Today is not the day to talk about Atletico.
“In training we are moving ahead on a daily basis, the guys are working well, with determination. It takes time and patience, for everything to be channelled.
“I am convinced that the closer you are to the opponent, the ball can be immediately won back. Against Cagliari we saw this. It takes balance and a single thought of the team, for when to press and when to not.
“The formation? Despite the short time, we have created many chances but taken few. But it takes time, the wheels are in motion.
“All the players must identify with this philosophy, not the formation. The formation is on paper, but many squads have players that are mobile. I want to create a very clear philosophy.”