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AC Milan's Massimiliano Allegri warns that his side must be braced for tough Champions League tie with Arsenal
The Italian champions are in good domestic form but their coach feels that they will have their work cut out in trying to eliminate the Gunners when the two clubs clash
Dec 16, 2011 12:16:00 PM
By Mark Doyle
Getty Images
AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri believes that his side will have to be at their best if they are to overcome Arsenal in the last 16 of the Champions League.
After finished second in Group H to Barcelona, the Rossoneri were, as an unseeded team in Friday’s draw in Nyon, always in danger of being given a tough assignment and Allegri believes that that is exactly what has happened.
"Arsenal are difficult opponents, a team that has everything to go all the way in the Champions League,” the Milan boss told Premium Calcio.
"In February we will have to be ready, Arsenal is a team at our level.”
However, goalkeeper Dida believes that Milan proved in their group stages clashes with reigning champions Barcelona - the Rossoneri drew at Camp Nou before suffering a narrow defeat at San Siro - that they can go all the way this season.
"Milan are growing," the Brazilian said. "I think they have been showing that they are reacting and are willing.
"I believe Milan can be compared to Barcelona and Real Madrid, because they have talent on the pitch, they have talents who want to win, and I believe they will able to get there and even win it.
"Why not win it? I think that in football there can always be a surprise champion."
Meanwhile, Milan’s organising director Umberto Gandini is looking forward to the games with Marseille and is hoping that the Italian champions can settle a few scores.
“For the quality and appeal of the two clubs, it’s a fantastic tie,” he enthused. “We need to break a bad tradition with Arsenal.
"Remember, we got knocked out by losing 2-0 in San Siro [in the last 16 in 2008], and in general with English clubs because we got knocked out by Tottenham last year.
“So we are coming back to London, it’s an exciting fixture, and we’re very determined to go through.”
Milan will host the Gunners at San Siro in the first leg in February before then travelling to the Emirates for the return fixture the following month.
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After finished second in Group H to Barcelona, the Rossoneri were, as an unseeded team in Friday’s draw in Nyon, always in danger of being given a tough assignment and Allegri believes that that is exactly what has happened.
"Arsenal are difficult opponents, a team that has everything to go all the way in the Champions League,” the Milan boss told Premium Calcio.
"In February we will have to be ready, Arsenal is a team at our level.”
However, goalkeeper Dida believes that Milan proved in their group stages clashes with reigning champions Barcelona - the Rossoneri drew at Camp Nou before suffering a narrow defeat at San Siro - that they can go all the way this season.
"Milan are growing," the Brazilian said. "I think they have been showing that they are reacting and are willing.
"I believe Milan can be compared to Barcelona and Real Madrid, because they have talent on the pitch, they have talents who want to win, and I believe they will able to get there and even win it.
"Why not win it? I think that in football there can always be a surprise champion."
Meanwhile, Milan’s organising director Umberto Gandini is looking forward to the games with Marseille and is hoping that the Italian champions can settle a few scores.
“For the quality and appeal of the two clubs, it’s a fantastic tie,” he enthused. “We need to break a bad tradition with Arsenal.
"Remember, we got knocked out by losing 2-0 in San Siro [in the last 16 in 2008], and in general with English clubs because we got knocked out by Tottenham last year.
“So we are coming back to London, it’s an exciting fixture, and we’re very determined to go through.”
Milan will host the Gunners at San Siro in the first leg in February before then travelling to the Emirates for the return fixture the following month.
| 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! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
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