Legendary Italian defender Franco Baresi has given his former club AC Milan tips on how to stop Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen in their Champions League quarter-finals with Napoli.
In Friday’s draw, Serie A leaders Napoli were pitted with seven-time Champions League winners Milan.
Baresi, 62, who helped Milan win three Champions League titles in 1989, 1990 and 1994, posited that the Rossoneri’s history in Europe’s elite club competition could be a factor.
“Looking at the right, I don’t know if it could have been worse or not. Napoli are a difficult opponent who are having a great year, we should be good at raising the level and putting in a great performance,” Baresi told SportMediaset as relayed by SempreMilan.it.
“Who is the favourite? The Champions League always gives different sensations than the league. It is clear that if we had to look at the table, Napoli are the favourites because they are having a great season and must be respected.
“Osimhen proved to be a great striker, a finisher capable of scoring in all ways. The Milan defence will have to be good at keeping him away from the penalty area, but Napoli don’t just have him. They are a team to fear, we know their game and we have to show all our quality.
“Leao? I believe that when you play in the Champions League the level rises, the team has done a very good journey in Europe: we have reached the quarterfinals and we have to think positively. Milan has its history and we can only look positively to the future when certain competitions are played.
“History helps. Playing for Milan brings you responsibilities, I think we saw this again this year in the Champions League. We have made an important journey, I’m sorry to face an Italian side but we have shown that we can play.”
Napoli secured a first-ever Champions League quarter-final ticket after overcoming Eintracht Frankfurt 5-0 on aggregate.
Osimhen scored three of Napoli’s goals in both legs of the round 16 ties against the Germans.
