BBC Sport football

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Related BBC sites

Page last updated at 16:29 GMT, Wednesday, 26 November 2008

Adams focused on league survival

Uefa Cup, Group E
Venue: Fratton Park Date: Thursday, 27 November Kick-off: 2005 GMT
Coverage: Live on Five, commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live & online (UK only), text commentary on BBC Sport website
Advertisement

Adams not overawed by Milan visit

Tony Adams believes Thursday's Uefa Cup game against AC Milan may be the "most prestigious" Portsmouth ever play.

However, the Pompey boss maintains that Premier League survival is his ultimate aim this season.

"What we did last season, winning the FA Cup, was amazing and this occasion is the reward for that," he said.

"But I'm saying that although it is great to be playing AC Milan the most important games for us as a club are in the Premier League."

He added: "This is our first season in Europe and I would like to think that in five years time we'll get the AC Milans here every year.

"But the only way you can do that is by staying in the Premier League."

606: DEBATE
essexfan11

Portsmouth opened their Group E campaign with a 3-0 defeat at Portuguese club Braga, while Milan have already notched up two wins despite resting key players such as Kaka and Ronaldinho.

The Brazilian pair appear unlikely to play at Fratton Park, but the likes of Andrea Pirlo and Andriy Shevchenko could feature, while Portsmouth are set to be without injured duo Jermain Defoe and Lassana Diarra.

With Defoe injured, Peter Crouch will lead the Portsmouth line and the striker believes the club's 20,500-seat Fratton Park ground could unsettle the Italian giants.

"I don't think anyone expected to see Milan at Fratton Park but we can make it difficult for them, get the supporters behind us and hopefully that might give us an edge to cause a surprise," he said.

"The changing rooms are a bit smaller than most, but after Thursday (Milan captain) Paolo Maldini can say he has now done it all."

Adams not overawed by Milan visit

Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf told BBC Sport his team-mates are not concerned by reports about the quirky nature of Fratton Park.

"I have heard the ground is old and about the noise during games but the San Siro has its own problems so we are not concerned about that," he said.

"I also know Portsmouth are a very good team and I have seen some of their individual players too.

"I have played against Sol Campbell since youth level and he is quite some defender. There are some very good players there - Croucher (Peter Crouch), I have seen running around - these are top players.

"Unfortunately for them, their coach Harry Redknapp left them recently and that could be an advantage for us. We know we are not going to have an easy game but we are looking forward to it."



Print Sponsor


see also
Portsmouth v AC Milan
26 Nov 08 |  Europe


related bbc links:

related internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites