Seven-times European champions AC Milan are looking to bounce back from a disastrous start to their Serie A campaign as they go in search of a place in the Champions League group stage this week.
The Italian giants and 2006 Champions League finalists Arsenal are amongst 20 teams in the play-off round vying for a spot in the lucrative group stages.
Milan, who last won the competition in 2007, go into their return fixture against Dutch runners-up PSV Eindhoven at the San Siro with a slight advantage after a 1-1 draw in the Netherlands a week ago.
However, Milan’s domestic campaign got off to a dreadful start at the weekend as they crashed to a 2-1 defeat at newly-promoted Verona, with coach Massimiliano Allegri lashing out at his side’s display.
“We had the totally wrong attitude (on Saturday) and we’re not going to make much progress if it continues,” warned Allegri.
Midfielder Andrea Poli emphasised the need to put the setback behind them and focus solely on Wednesday’s match against PSV, a game Allegri labelled as the “most important of the season so far”.
“We had a positive performance at PSV and we faced a dangerous side, but we got a good result and we will look to finish the job in the return leg,” said Poli. “We always have respect for the opposition, but we are Milan and we have to qualify at every cost. We have to stop talking about it and just get on with the job in hand,” added the Italy international.
Arsenal effectively ensured the Premier League will have four representatives in this season’s competition after a commanding 3-0 victory against Fenerbahce in Turkey put Arsene Wenger’s men firmly in the driving seat ahead of Tuesday’s second leg in London.