AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini has claimed that Thursday’s Europa League qualifying clash with Shamrock Rovers is a game that ‘scares us a lot’.
The seven-time European Cup winners will be the overwhelming favourites going into the clash at Tallaght Stadium but Madlini, now a technical director with Milan, insists they will not underestimate their League of Ireland opponents.
Former Barcelona and Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is expected to be fit for the game but Milan have a number of injury concerns. Milan will be missing forwards Ante Rebic (banned) and Rafael Leao (injured) plus defenders Alessio Romagnoli, Mateo Musacchio and Andrea Conti.
Maldini told Sky Italia: “We are ready, I hope. It’s a game that scares us a lot. It’s a team that is doing well, first in their league, we have some problems, Rebic disqualified, Leao injured. We play away from home in a knockout match, we are rightly worried.”
Rovers prepared for the game with a 3-0 victory over Cork City at the weekend, Aaron Greene scored a brace before Neil Farrugia added a third to seal the three points.
They sit at the top of the League of Ireland Premier Division, eight points clear of rivals Bohemians.
The Europa League second round qualifying clash will be played behind closed doors but it will be shown live on both RTÉ 2 and the RTÉ Player.
Meanwhile, Dundalk face Andorran side Inter Club Escaldes away. They have confirmed that the game will be streamed live, with details to be confirmed.