Montolivo: “Juve a good test, Milan need a big match win”

RICCARDO MONTOLIVO doesn’t think the European dream is dead and wants a victory against a big side like Juventus.

The 2013/2014 season, or at least the first half of it, will not be remembered in a positive way as the Rossoneri are 31 points league leaders Juventus, who they face on Sunday evening at Stadio San Siro as part of the 26th Serie A matchday.

Many people had spoken about a lack of a leader in the Milan dressing room before Clarence Seedorf arrived to replace Massimiliano Allegri but Riccardo Montolivo is the captain of the team and he believes that Milan can do well against Juve.

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“Regardless of the adversary, the growth has been evident, in terms of balance most of all,” Montolivo, 29 years of age, said in an interview with the Milan Channel on Friday afternoon. “Obviously if we defend better then we attack better and results come. We’ve seen this in the last few games and in this sense, Juventus will be a good test to consolidate this growth.

“If this is a special match for me? Absolutely, this game last year was a magical evening. The president gave me the captain’s armband. We won the match and we started or way back up the league. We’re hoping for the same on Sunday. A win against a big team is needed. We’ve to be ready, we’ve to climb up the table to create enthusiasm and self-esteem. We’ve the quality to cause Juventus problems. There’s been a growth in terms of balance. We attack and defend better.

“Seedorf’s arrival has brought enthusiasm. We felt responsible for Allegri and we have to show that we all belong at this club. The visits of President Silvio Berlusconi? He often comes on the eve of the delicate games and his presence is always positive. He always cuts through the tension and transmits serenity. The results have been there to see after his visits and he always gives us something extra.I always try and see the positives even in the more negative situation. It’s an essential quality to improve and observe situations in life as well as football. Especially this year,” continued the Milan midfielder.

“If I miss scoring? Obviously I’d like to score one and I hope to do it on Sunday but the important thing is that the whole team responds well. We need a big match win. If we can progress in the Champions League? We showed that we can play against them in the first leg. The next will be a different match and it’s away from home as well but we have the quality to get through. The weight of being captain? The armband is a big responsibility but it’s shared throughout the team.

“My jersey number? I’ve always worn 18, as it’s the day of my birthday. It must be destiny. If Seedorf is tough in training? There’s always a positive atmosphere but there are some bad moments and then the coach pays the price even when he isn’t responsible. We’re trying to improve with the coach. If a Europe is possible? It’s not definite that we’ll be out of Europe.

“We’re still in the Champions League and we’re fighting for a place in the Europa League. We’ll do everything we can,” Montolivo said. Monty is expected to play from the start alongside Nigel De Jong against Juventus in two days’ time.