Milan aiming to prove they are Real contenders for glory
“If we really want to win the Champions League, it’s better to eliminate Real,” the Portuguese star said yesterday.
Milan have already booked thei r place in the last eight after taking a maximum 12 points from four matches, including a 1-0 victory against the reigning European champions in their previous meeting at the San Siro.
Real are a distant second in Group C with five points, one more than Germany’s Borussia Dortmund.
But the Spanish club - in jeopardy of exiting the competition should they lose to Milan - could pose problems if they made it through to the knockout stages, said the Portuguese star.
“There’s not a man among us who would be sad if they were no longer in our way,” he said.
Before they win anything, however, coach Carlo Ancelotti must solve the inconsistency that has crept into his side’s performances since January.
Milan have swept aside all-comers in Europe but dropped points against smaller clubs in the domestic league.
On Sunday they drew 0-0 with Chievo - a result that left them a distant third in Serie A, six points behind leaders Juventus, and prompted club president Silvio Berlusconi to remark that his team’s priorities now lay in Europe.
“It’s obvious to everyone that our form has dipped. But it’s much too soon to say we’re out of the title race,” Rui Costa said.
“On several occasions our anxiety to win matches has led us to make stupid mistakes. We’re well behind Juve, but the head-to-head games against our title rivals are still to come. No-one intends to ease off because in the last few years the championship has been decided right at the end.”
TV3 have confirmed its decision to broadcast the classic continental clash at 7.30 pm tonight. Former Real Madrid manager John Toshack will be joining match commentator Trevor Welch live from the Bernabau. Packie Bonner and Mark Lawrenson will provide in-depth analysis from the studio.
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