AC Milan technical director Paolo Maldini has admitted that getting into the knockout stages of the Champions League is a target for the team, with everything to play for against Liverpool.
Maldini spoke to the broadcaster Infinity+ ahead of the crucial clash against Klopp’s men about the importance of potentially getting into the last 16 and what it could mean for the transfer market, with MilanNews relaying his quotes.
“It was our target, we had to chase and get the right result in Madrid and we hope that fate helps out. Being here to play it is still a good thing,” he said.
Calciomercato.com are among the sources to report that Milan winning against the Reds tonight and making the last 16 of the Champions League (providing the right result arrives in Porto) is a result that would be fundamental both from a sporting and an economic point of view because it would boost the Rossoneri’s revenue by €20m.
“It is not the passage of the round that determines our strategy. We have a deep squad, with two players per position. We would like to face the important games with everyone available, but there are these years, in which you get hurt for nothing.”
As one of the best defenders of all time himself, Maldini knows what is required on the biggest stage.
“It is essential, despite having territorial dominance we will have to be careful. We will need to find the right balance to face one of the best teams in the world at the moment, together with Bayern.”
Maldini was also asked which player has made the most improvements this year.
“There are a number of players who are young, the one who gave an acceleration is perhaps Leao himself. He showed that in 1 vs 1 he makes the difference in Italy and in Europe.”
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