AC Milan Hunts First 3 Points In Champions League, Tonali: Now Is The Time To Win
JAKARTA - Sandro Tonali confirmed that he and his AC Milan team are still eager to win their first Champions League win of the season when they host Atletico Madrid in their Group B match at the Wanda Metropolitano on Thursday morning.
Milan has only one point from four Champions League games so far and is stranded at the bottom of Group B, but can maintain their last-16 hopes if they beat Atletico.
"Winning is the only thing we haven't done in this group, and now is the time", Tonali told UEFA's website on Wednesday.
"So far we have faced strong and intelligent teams who are more used to playing in the Champions League", he continued.
In the first two games of Group B after seven seasons out of the Champions League, Milan actually troubled Liverpool and Atletico.
However, the Rossoneri often lost concentration in the final period of the game to eventually lose, including against Atletico when they had been leading since the 20th minute but conceded two goals in the last ten minutes.
Although he admits that appearing at the San Siro can give him more advantages, Tonali hopes that he and his teammates will get an injection of enthusiasm from the Milanists who come to the Wanda Metropolitano.
"We have to be focused for the full 90 minutes. There are no favourites here, but a little bit of encouragement from the fans will help a lot".
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Milan head coach Stefano Pioli also admitted the match against Atletico would be his team's last chance to open up any chance of qualifying for the last 16.
"My job is to inspire the players, but in this case, it's quite easy. The game against Atletico is our last chance, but also a big opportunity", he said.
"So far we have always lacked the final touch in Europe, although we have shown that we deserve to be here. We have to present a perfect performance", concluded Pioli.