AC Milan ready for Real Madrid challenge, says Inzaghi

Filippo Inzaghi and Riccardo Montolivo of AC Milan address the media

Dubai — AC Milan manager Filippo Inzaghi was in upbeat mood about the chances of his side to put a good performance when they lock horns against current UEFA Champions League heroes Real Madrid in the Dubai Football Challenge at the Sevens Stadium here on Tuesday.

Inzaghi has spent the most notable spells of his club career with Juventus and Milan, as well as earning 57 caps for the Italian national team. He won the 2006 World Cup, two UEFA Champions League titles (2003, 2007), and three Serie A titles (1998, 2004, 2011). He is one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time, fifth in Italy, with 313 goals scored in official matches. He is currently the fourth-highest goal scorer in European club competitions with 70 goals, behind only Raúl, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He is also Milan’s top international goal scorer in the club’s history with 43 goals. He also holds the record for most hat-tricks in Serie A with 10.

Inzaghi started his coach career in 2012 and took over as Milan’s head coach in 2014 after the dismissal of his teammate Seedorf.

AC Milan team arrive at Dubai International Airport ahead of Dubai Football Challenge. — Supplied photos

Speaking to newsmen at the Emirates HQ Auditorium, the former Italian forward said they are very happy to be in Dubai. “We know that there have been requests for tickets and the stadium has been sold out long ago. There’s a desire to see these two teams,” he said. Regarding their preparations for the tough test, the 41-year-old Italian football legend hoped that the Reds and Blacks will impress. “We hope to play a good game because the upcoming confrontation is not like any other game. It’s a special clash between two teams that have won more UEFA Champions League titles than any other two teams, and hopefully the players can put on a great performance,” he said.

Meanwhile, AC Milan captain Ricardo Montolivo was present during the news conference with their boss.

Montolivo started his career with Atalanta in 2003 before being transferred to Fiorentina in 2005. He went to make more than 250 appearances for the club in seven years. In 2012 he signed for Milan on a free transfer. He was given the club’s captaincy the following season after the departure of Massimo Ambrosini.

Montolivo made his debut for Italy senior team in 2007 against South Africa and since then has represented the country in two Fifa Confederations Cups (2009 and 2013) as well as in UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2010 Fifa World Cup, where he started every game.

He said: “We are looking forward to win their challenge against the top Spanish side because the match is very crucial for them as they need a win ahead of their Italian campaign when we return home from the current winter break. “We are here to enjoy the warm of the East and celebrate the Christmas with our friends in this part of the world. We are happy to face the Real Madrid challenge and hopefully we will be able to delight our fans. This game can give the team a big lift,” he said. For the Italian midfielder, the match is a good training opportunity because it features AC Milan against Real Madrid.

“When you have two heavy weights teams facing each other, then there’s no friendly and a game like this helps us to immediately hit the ground running when we return to league action,” he clarified. “It will also be a good test to see where we are when we come back from the Gulf tour,” he said.

After 16 matches played in the current season, AC Milan have collected 25 points from six wins and seven draws to settle sixth and 14 points off the pace behind front runners Juventus.

hisham@khaleejtimes.com