Dinamo Zagreb boss Fabio Cannavaro admits things “could not be any worse” than having to face AC Milan and old team-mate Sergio Conceicao as the Croatian side aim to grab a place in the Champions League knockout stage.
Former Italy defender Cannavaro, a World Cup winner in 2006, played alongside Conceicao at both Parma and Inter.
Cannavaro – who had a spell in charge of Serie A club Udinese after stints in Saudi Arabia and China – was appointed Dinamo boss in late December.
The 51-year-old’s first competitive match came in the last round of Champions League fixtures, when Dinamo were beaten 3-0 at Arsenal, leaving them two points off the play-off places heading into the final set of games.
Despite knowing the task ahead of Dinamo at the Maksimir Stadium on Wednesday, Cannavaro remains hopeful his side can pull of an unexpected victory to keep their European dreams alive.
“Basically, it couldn’t be any worse – maybe we could have faced Real Madrid or (Manchester) City, but also because it is an Italian team who are coached by a former team-mate of mine,” Cannavaro said in an interview on UEFA’s website.
“I have seen them a lot this year, I know them well. Playing against Italian teams is certainly never easy, but at least we are playing at home and we know we have nothing to lose.”
Cannavaro – who also had two spells at Juventus either side of three years with Real Madrid and won the 2006 Ballon d’Or – is relishing going up against Conceicao in the dugout.
With the Rossoneri’s Serie A campaign stuttering, former Porto manager Conceicao replaced Paulo Fonseca at the end of last month.
“I like him because he has got a lot of character and personality – and what he did at Porto was truly exceptional,” Cannavaro said.
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— AC Milan (@acmilan) January 26, 2025
With 15 points, AC Milan are already set for the knockout stage, but can secure a place directly through to the last 16 on Wednesday night.
The Rossoneri head to Croatia having come from behind to beat Parma 3-2 after scoring twice in stoppage time at the San Siro on Sunday.
Captain Davide Calabria – who was involved in a heated argument with Conceicao after the game – is suspended on Wednesday following his second yellow card in Europe this season against Girona.
England international Kyle Walker has joined the Rossoneri on loan, but had already played for Manchester City in the Champions League this season.
