Ambrosini recalls UCL memories, facing Xabi Alonso and gives thoughts on new format – video | OneFootball

Massimo Ambrosini has explained what makes the Champions League so special and why AC Milan feel such a strong connection with the competition.

It would be fair to say that Ambrosini knows what it takes to win Europe’s most prestigious club competition given he did so twice with the Rossoneri in 2002-03 and 2006-07, winning finals against Juventus and Liverpool respectively.

Ambrosini spoke to Milan TV in the build-up to Tuesday’s game against Bayer Leverkusen and he answered questions about what the UCL means to him and to Milan.

Did you focus more on the Champions League over Serie A?

“The Champions League has always been special since the debut. For us it has always been special, in my opinion ‘guiltily’: we have always reserved our energies compared to the league. Translated, in our years in the league we could have done better.”

Your Champions League debut was against Rosenborg…

“We were in the hotel, and when Tabarez told me I would play because Boban had a fever I was there to press the elevator button. He said to me: ‘Do you understand that you are playing tonight?’.

“I remember the emotion, and from then on, from the afternoon to the evening, the sensations were strange. I asked myself if I was ready, because the team was very strong: I saw the names present again some time ago, it gives me the shivers.”

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Milan will face Xabi Alonso tomorrow, who you came up against…

“If you analyse the player he seemed predisposed to be a coach. He has a great personality and determination. For those who play as a midfielder and have notable technical qualities, you just need to add competitive edge, and he earned it at Liverpool.

“When you played against him you had the feeling of having someone in front of you who made the ball travel well, with personality and physicality: in the final in Athens we went into heavy tackles three or four times.

“In general he was a great player, and as a coach he is also surprising for the speed with which he is doing enormous things. Playing against Bayer Leverkusen is tough.”

What away games do you remember most?

“My first memory of the match against Dortmund? The cold, it was 10 degrees below zero. When we left the hotel to warm up we asked ourselves how we would play in those conditions. Pippo scored, like in Munich…

“I have great memories of Madrid. We won with Leonardo and with goals from Pato. We were lucky in that match, things went well for us. But if we talk about Carlo Ancelotti we’ll be here until tomorrow.”

What do you think of the new UCL format?

“If I tell you about it now, after just one matchday, I have some doubts about this phase. I have the feeling that there isn’t that thought of sporting drama if you lose. If you had a bad first and second match, you immediately thought you were out. The matches had considerable importance.

“Now, with the league phase, you think you have many more opportunities and you can take control of the situation. The charm is taken away. Maybe I’m wrong, and it’s certainly an advantage for those, like Milan, who can have an extra bullet to fire.”