Leonardo urges Milan to bounce back

Posted Wednesday, September 30, 2009 by PA

AC Milan coach Leonardo has called for an immediate reaction from his players in their Champions League clash against FC Zurich on Wednesday as they aim to finally kick-start their season.

The Rossoneri have had a stop-start campaign and have clearly struggled following the summer departures of coach Carlo Ancelotti and star men Kaka and Paolo Maldini.

Sunday's goalless home draw against newly-promoted Bari left Milan 11th in the Serie A standings and Leonardo is hoping for a swift turnaround in fortunes amid growing discontent at the San Siro.

"We have had a season of ups and downs," he said. "Against Zurich it will be an important match.

"Now, it's the Champions League, it's an important game and we have to put into practice everything we have talked about.

"I'm not worried. A coach is always in discussion, it's impossible for there not to be talks. For me it's the least important thing.

"In these kind of moments all the games could be the one that turns things around.

"What we are looking for is the kind of security that a bit of consistency will give us."

Milan have fared slightly better in Europe and beat Marseille 2-1 away in their Group C opener a fortnight ago.

They will also have fond memories of playing against Zurich from last year when they beat the Swiss team at home and away to triumph 4-1 on aggregate in the UEFA Cup.

And Leonardo would love nothing more than a similar result.

"We met Zurich last year in the UEFA Cup," he added. "This year they have changed little as a squad, they are basing themselves on the same players but with a different style of play.

"They're struggling a bit in the league at the moment, but we're talking about a team that won it last year."

Christian Abbiati, Davide Di Gennaro, Marco Borriello and Thiago Silva are all out injured.

Zurich are also struggling this season and know that the last thing they want is a daunting trip to the San Siro.

The Swiss champions have lost the past two league games and are sixth in the league, while they kicked off the group stages with a 5-2 humiliation at home by Real Madrid.

Coach Bernard Challandes is fully aware of the test that lies in wait for them.

"We have already met Milan," he said. "Milan are Milan. We know who we are playing against, they are a great team.

"But we can face great teams like this as we did against Real Madrid.

"It will be a great game, out aim is to have a good game and win points."

Challandes will be without Yassine Chikhaoui, Martin Buchel and Eric Hassli, while Daniel Stucki and Heinz Barmettler are rated as highly doubtful.