The last beach has arrived. Tonight Milan (20.45 pm), in the boiling basin of the Vicente Calderon, the season will literally be played out. Inside or out, on the other hand, as Humphrey Bogart would say, this is the Champions League and there's nothing you can do about it. It starts from the 0-1 in the first leg signed by Diego Costa, a false result in terms of the game expressed but still rather unfavorable to the Rossoneri.
“It was also difficult in 2007 when we went on to win at Bayern Munich after a 2-2 draw at San Siro – he smiled Galliani before embarking for the Capital. – Let's go to Madrid to try, we will have to battle and fight to win”. A not at all random omen, given that on that night at the Allianz Arena it was Clarence Seedorf who decided the match. Now he can no longer influence the field with goals and assists, but he will try to do his best from the bench. “Atletico are favourites, but we will remain faithful to our philosophy – explained the Dutchman at the press conference. – Playing with heart, courage and head we can write a new page of history. In 2007 we managed to find the energies that allowed us to play great games against formidable opponents, we have to fight as a group and play from the heart. There are things that come before the technical and tactical aspects, the rest is a consequence." Once again Seedorf chose to hit the psychology keys, to instill his winning mentality in the group.
“Football is like life, it puts you in front of obstacles to overcome – he continued. – The result is still open and we will try to qualify. Atletico Madrid are a great teama, a group with a clear physiognomy but we want to score the goals we need and return to Milan victorious". Bold attitude that smacks of a work of conviction. If history and coat of arms took to the field, the Rossoneri could even think of winning the Champions League, but since the players go there, there's no need to get too excited. To find a Milan with a lower performance, you have to even go back 30 years (1983/84 season) and things haven't improved much even with the arrival of Seedorf. Yet this team still arouses a certain fear, especially in Europe. “Milan is an institution in the history of football – thought Simeone. – He is very focused on the Champions League and has very talented players. That's why I expect him to give his best and I'm sure it will be a very tough match for us."
What is certain is that Seedorf will play it to the best of his strength. In fact, compared to Udine's maxi turnover, the best team will take the field tonight at the Calderon. In defense, to defend Abbiati's goal, there will be Abate, Bonera, Rami and Emanuelson, in midfield it will be up to De Jong and one of Essien (favourite) and Muntari, in the frontline to Taarabt, Poli and Kakà, in attack to Balotelli. No doubts instead for Cholo Simeone, who should re-propose the Raul Garcia-Diego Costa tandem, with Koke and Arda Turan pushing on the wings and Villa ready to take over from the bench. A company is needed and in this sense even the cabal seems to be against Milan: the only precedent in which he managed to overturn an internal knockout dates back to 59 years ago. It was 1955 and the Rossoneri recovered the 3-4 in the first leg against the Germans in Saarbrucken to win 4-1. Other times, other football. Needless to say, it's time to freshen up the history books.
