Paolo Maldini believes UEFA ‘needs’ Milan and that it would be ‘absurd’ if the club prioritised Serie A or the Europa League.
Milan were reinstated in the Europa League after a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and Maldini reacted to his club being drawn in Group F alongside Olympiacos, Real Betis and debutants Dudelange.
“It’s good to be here for the Europa League,” the Rossoneri director told Sky Sport Italia.
Paolo Maldini believes UEFA ‘needs’ Milan and that it would be ‘absurd’ if the club prioritised Serie A or the Europa League.
Milan were reinstated in the Europa League after a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and Maldini reacted to his club being drawn in Group F alongside Olympiacos, Real Betis and debutants Dudelange.
“It’s good to be here for the Europa League,” the Rossoneri director told Sky Sport Italia.
“Both my role and competition have changed, but it’s a new beginning so I’m very happy.
“Happy with the draw? I’d say so. We have Betis, who will cause us a lot of trouble, Olympiacos and then a Luxembourgish team, who are an absolute wildcard.
“It’s definitely a group within our reach, and we want to go as far as possible. Must Milan rebuild their relationship with UEFA? I don’t think so.
“I think UEFA needs Milan because they’ve written a decisive page in the history of its competitions.
“Milan will act properly from a financial point of view, so so there will be no problems over accepting Milan.
“Italian teams have taken this competition more seriously in the last 3-4 years than before.
“Now it gives you direct access to the Champions League, plus I think the bar has risen in the Europa League.
“Do I agree with Gattuso on the lack of mentality? The team are young, so I think having experienced players like Higuain is very important in this sense.
“My role is that of a director, who has little experience in this area but a lot on the pitch. I’m sharing responsibilities with Leonardo.
“By going to Milanello, talking to Gattuso and taking on some of his workload, I think I can give something more to the club.
“Will it will be easier to enter the Champions League through the Europa League or the League? I don’t think that only the Europa League can be taken into account.
“We can compete for a top-four place and have an excellent Europa League. In our opinion, it would be absurd to prioritise one over the other.”