Raúl García confident Atlético can overcome Milan

Club Atlético de Madrid midfielder Raúl García says he is looking forward to adding the high-profile scalp of AC Milan to his belt after the sides, who have never met before, were matched in the UEFA Champions League round of 16. On current form the Spanish team would be firm favourites but, as both camps acknowledge, a lot can change in two months.

Adriano Galliani, Milan vice-president
I do not like to comment, especially because we will play in a couple of months' time and many things can change between now and February. Atlético, however, are top in Spain alongside Barcelona and ahead of Real Madrid so they are obviously a very good side. I watched their game on TV yesterday and they are playing really good football. However, as I said, it is difficult to know how they will be and how we will be in two months' time.

Umberto Gandini, Milan director 
Atlético a very strong side who play great football under Diego Simeone. They are very strong in attack, although it could have been even worse for us considering the sides we could have drawn. We will have to see how both teams are two months down the line. We have had several injuries in the first part of the season, hopefully we will have a fully fit squad come February.

Raúl García, Atlético midfielder
[Milan] are a team with history, it will be nice to play them. We're really looking forward to beating a club like AC Milan. We have to continue to stay true to our football philosophy – if we do that, we'll certainly have a good contest.

There are two months until the tie, so we have time to see how both teams shape up. In a few weeks we'll talk about how each team is looking. Milan are finding it difficult to implement a style, something other teams seem to have at the moment. We've still no doubt that they have great players and can hurt you at any time.

Clemente Villaverde, Atlético director
This isn't just any team, it's AC Milan. They have an incredible history. We must look to be better than them and to do everything possible in order to beat them. We respect every team here but we also have potential and will use our strengths.