Baresi reacts after Champions League draw: “Milan must always think about winning” | OneFootball

Franco Baresi believes that the experience in the AC Milan squad will serve them well in the Champions League, but admitted they cannot focus on Europe over doing well domestically.

It was known heading into the new format that Milan would face a couple of more challenging opponents from Pot 1. Yesterday’s draw confirmed that reigning champions Real Madrid will host the Rossoneri, whilst Liverpool will return to San Siro after visiting during the 2021-22 season.

Paulo Fonseca’s side must travel to face Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen which will be far from easy, but after that the games against Slovan Bratislava, Dinamo Zagreb, Girona and Red Star Belgrade look more simple at least on paper.

The initial aim will be to try and get enough points to finish in the top eight and secure passage straight into the last 16, but there is also a play-off to get to that phase if Milan were to finish 9th-24th.

Baresi spoke to Sky just after the draw had been done and Milan learned their opponents for the league phase, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.

How do you feel about the new format?

“We are all curious to see how it will go. Everything is new, everything is different. We have to think game by game, every game can be important. Even the points and the goals. We will see how it will be, how we all react. The goal difference could be decisive.”

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Are Milan more European than Italian?

“It’s hard to say. I think Milan must always think about winning, both in Italy and abroad. They certainly have an important culture in Europe, true. But we must always play at our best. We have players with international experience and this will do us good.”

It has been a complicated start…

“We didn’t think we’d start this way. Milan has quality, players who can bounce back. We mustn’t underestimate anyone, attitude and spirit must never be lacking. The Italian league is full of pitfalls, we must always be careful. Now let’s reset, start again and make sure our values ​​come out.”