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Thomas Helveg: AC Milan must play like Norwich City to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford
Dane urges Italians to replicate the East Anglian approach
9 Mar 2010 10:00:00
EXCLUSIVE
By Matt Monaghan | Manchester United correspondent
AC Milan must play like Norwich City if they are to pull off an upset by beating Manchester United tomorrow night, according to Danish veteran Thomas Helveg.
Leonardo’s side come in to the second leg of their Champions League first knockout round clash needing a two-goal winning margin to overturn the 3-2 defeat registered in Italy. The Mancunians' fearsome European record means the Rossoneri have a mountain to climb to get the result they need to reach the quarter-finals.
Helveg, 38, enjoyed a five-year stay at the club, registering 105 Serie A appearances, before moving first to Inter Milan, and then Norwich City. It was with the East Anglian strugglers that he tasted a shock 2-0 victory against Sir Alex Ferguson’s team in 2005.
Speaking exclusively to Goal.com UK, he said he believes the Rossoneri will need to repeat that mix of desire and ability to upset the European odds.
“When you face Manchester United you know it is going to take everything you’ve got to have a good result,” Helveg said.
“When I won with Norwich, we knew we couldn’t beat them just by playing football, we kept on running that few metres more than normal and were very strong in the tackle.
“I should say AC Milan have to have the same things with them, but I always think they are a very good playing team and can beat them keeping the ball and playing. They must keep control on the game.”
The 108-times capped Danish international also shared a dressing room with Milan manager Leonardo and they lifted the Italian league title together in 1999. Although surprised by the Brazilian’s move in to management, he praised his ability to stay calm and focused on the bench.
"I didn't have that in mind [his becoming head coach], because he is indeed a quiet person and he solves every problem in a proper way without raising his voice.
"Sometimes as coach or manager, you really have to get angry. The other way round is behaving with a lot of respect for everybody and he keeps his control and I think that is what you need as a coach.
"You have to stay calm and see things as they are without panicking. With that in mind, he is very talented as I've never seen him lose control and that is important."
After spells in Italy, Germany and England, Helveg is now winding down his career with home town team Odense in Denmark’s top flight. The gruelling pre-season training is under way and Helveg is “having fun” and “trying to keep up with the young guys” as OB look to build on their strong finish last term.
He said: “It’s quite tough at the moment, we are working hard. It’s been so nice getting the chance to come home and play in Denmark with my home town team, so for me, it is really something important.
“I’m just having fun and it will be interesting to see if we can follow up on the results as we did before the Christmas break.
“I do feel I’m on a physical level where I can be in the game for quite a good period as well. As I said before, I am having fun and I’m just trying to keep up with the young guys.”
By Matt Monaghan | Manchester United correspondent
AC Milan must play like Norwich City if they are to pull off an upset by beating Manchester United tomorrow night, according to Danish veteran Thomas Helveg.
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Leonardo’s side come in to the second leg of their Champions League first knockout round clash needing a two-goal winning margin to overturn the 3-2 defeat registered in Italy. The Mancunians' fearsome European record means the Rossoneri have a mountain to climb to get the result they need to reach the quarter-finals.
Helveg, 38, enjoyed a five-year stay at the club, registering 105 Serie A appearances, before moving first to Inter Milan, and then Norwich City. It was with the East Anglian strugglers that he tasted a shock 2-0 victory against Sir Alex Ferguson’s team in 2005.
Speaking exclusively to Goal.com UK, he said he believes the Rossoneri will need to repeat that mix of desire and ability to upset the European odds.
“When you face Manchester United you know it is going to take everything you’ve got to have a good result,” Helveg said.
“When I won with Norwich, we knew we couldn’t beat them just by playing football, we kept on running that few metres more than normal and were very strong in the tackle.
“I should say AC Milan have to have the same things with them, but I always think they are a very good playing team and can beat them keeping the ball and playing. They must keep control on the game.”
The 108-times capped Danish international also shared a dressing room with Milan manager Leonardo and they lifted the Italian league title together in 1999. Although surprised by the Brazilian’s move in to management, he praised his ability to stay calm and focused on the bench.
Great Dane | Helveg enjoyed a long stay at Milan
"I didn't have that in mind [his becoming head coach], because he is indeed a quiet person and he solves every problem in a proper way without raising his voice.
"Sometimes as coach or manager, you really have to get angry. The other way round is behaving with a lot of respect for everybody and he keeps his control and I think that is what you need as a coach.
"You have to stay calm and see things as they are without panicking. With that in mind, he is very talented as I've never seen him lose control and that is important."
After spells in Italy, Germany and England, Helveg is now winding down his career with home town team Odense in Denmark’s top flight. The gruelling pre-season training is under way and Helveg is “having fun” and “trying to keep up with the young guys” as OB look to build on their strong finish last term.
He said: “It’s quite tough at the moment, we are working hard. It’s been so nice getting the chance to come home and play in Denmark with my home town team, so for me, it is really something important.
“I’m just having fun and it will be interesting to see if we can follow up on the results as we did before the Christmas break.
“I do feel I’m on a physical level where I can be in the game for quite a good period as well. As I said before, I am having fun and I’m just trying to keep up with the young guys.”
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
|
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