MILAN – This is what Milan’s CEO Adriano Galliani had to say ahead of the UEFA banquet and tonight’s match Milan-Atletico Madrid at the San Siro at 20.45:"When the President visits he always brings lots of enthusiasm, it’s always a celebration. He’s been passing on this enthusiasm since the 20th of February 1986 and tomorrow will be the 28th anniversary of his Presidency. It’s been 28 years of his support. I was looking up at the sky earlier today and I was thinking about the match against Manchester United in 2007. That day it was also raining. Let’s hope it’s a good omen. This is definitely the most exciting game. The Champions League is the most important competition. In the group stages it’s different, but now it’s all or nothing. There is a lot of excitement. Let’s hope we can relive those experiences and emotions of 2007. That year we won the Champions League, the European Super Cup and the World Club Cup. We’ve got a lot of work to do, but let’s hope we can get back to those levels. Balotelli is a great champion and he has everything in place to become an even greater one. He’s still really young and it’s the first time that he plays regularly as a fixed first team member. He has all the characteristics to become one of the best in the world. To become like Ibrahimovic he still has a lot of work to do, but he’s on the right track. Milan has great tradition. In the last 12 years we’ve taken part in the Champions League on 11 occasions, an extraordinary achievement. More importantly, we’ve always qualified from the group stages and reached the last-16 stage of the competition. We’ve reached the top in Europe. I also said this to the players: I hope that our shirt can make the difference. Coach Seedorf is focused. I remember him as an 18 year-old youngster with Ajax. He has great experience and a great history. UEFA have allowed us to parade the Viareggio Trophy which the Primavera won tonight at 19.55. Atletico aren’t in crisis, far from it. They’re first in the league, they came first in the group stages in the Champions League, they reached the semi-finals of the Coppa del Rey. They’re having a great year. I don’t know who is the favourite. We’ll see tonight. Kakà is a great lader.”