Milan’s new manager believes side can put the pride back into Italian football in the Champions League match

Clarence Seedorf is a man well versed in European glory, but given Milan’s current predicament any success this season would represent the most significant achievement during the most stellar of careers.

Four Champions League medals with three different teams mark Seedorf out as the most decorated player of the modern European era, yet for Italy success on the continent has been rare of late. Not since José Mourinho’s Internazionale triumphed against the odds in 2010 has any Italian side come close to the Champions League crown, and that trend will take some bucking this time around.

Milan, ninth in Serie A and still in the midst of a transitional period since Seedorf’s appointment as manager last month, play Atlético Madrid at San Siro on Wednesday evening. Atlético, who along with Barcelona and Real Madrid have 60 points at the summit of La Liga, arrive in northern Italy as clear favourites to advance to the last eight of the competition.

Milan are the only Italian side left in the tournament following Juventus’ late defeat to Galatasaray in the group stage and Napoli’s exit, with Atlético manager Diego Simeone, who spent two years with Inter as a player, returning to Giuseppe Meazza Stadium attempting to continue a pattern that has seen Spanish clubs hold the edge over their Italian counterparts in the Champions League over recent seasons.

Since Milan won the 2007 European Cup only five Italian teams have reached the quarter-finals of the competition, in contrast to 14 Premier League sides, 11 from Spain and seven from Germany. Of those five teams, only Inter in 2010 advanced to the last four.

It is a tale of calcio woe but one that Seedorf hopes can turn this year. However Milan, while going three matches undefeated in the league after the Dutchman’s appointment, are very much a team still searching for a new identity.

A spectacular Mario Balotelli effort saved them from a dour goalless draw against Bologna last weekend, which was preceded by a convincing defeat at Napoli, a match during which Balotelli was pictured crying in the dugout after being substituted.

Victories over Hellas Verona and Cagliari, as well as over Bologna, have brought the Rossoneri some solace but Seedorf’s task is very much a long-term one. With Atlético demonstrating their qualities to such good effect this season, and with Diego Costa firing, it is easy to see why the Spaniards are expected to overcome a team that has won the European title on seven previous occasions.

Adel Taarabt has been named in the squad for a potential Champions League debut, but Keisuke Honda is cup tied and injuries are set to keep out Stephan El Shaarawy, Robinho and Cristián Zapata, while Sulley Muntari and Riccardo Montolivo are suspended.

The Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has been in touch with Seedorf to advise him on how to approach the Atlético game, with Ancelotti’s Blancos having beaten their city rivals twice in the Copa del Rey in recent weeks.

Despite the numerous absentees, Seedorf is confident a positive result can be achieved. He said: “Atlético have been playing at a high level for the past two seasons. Our growth is gradual and this is a unique and special match.

“We’re going through a difficult time and these are the kind of matches to use the enthusiasm that we have to make things better and strengthen the group. My players will give me the responses that I expect. The league table doesn’t reflect the value of the squad.”

Atlético have only lost twice in the league this season while Milan have won eight, drawn eight and lost eight. Seedorf’s side are languishing in mid-table and are closer on points to the bottom three than the top three.

Barring a miracle run in Serie A between now and May they will not be sitting at Europe’s top table next season, which perhaps gives Wednesday’s match at San Siro heightened significance. A year in the European wilderness could follow, but despite their recent travails the Rossoneri still represent a major scalp.

As Simeone says: “History speaks clearly – Milan are a great side, but Atlético Madrid also have history in this competition. I expect to see a great Milan and above all I fear their history, which on nights like this can really count.”

• Milan
• Atlético Madrid
• Champions League

James Riach

theguardian.com