Maxi Lopez: AC Milan have a stronger squad than Juventus

Mar 21, 2012 8:05:00 PM

The Argentine knows that the Italian champions can ill afford any slip-ups, but he is confident that Massimiliano Allegri's men will again claim the Scudetto

Maxi Lopez is backing AC Milan to retain the Serie A title, believing the Rossoneri to be in possession of a strong squad than Juventus.

Massimiliano Allegri's men currently top the standings by four points from the Bianconeri and, in light of their impressive league form of late, few expect them to lose that lead.

Juve did manage to knock Milan out of the Coppa Italia on Tuesday night, thanks to a 2-2 draw in Turin which earned the hosts a 4-3 aggregate success, but Maxi Lopez believes that the game only served to underline that the Rossoneri are better equipped to maintain their Scudetto challenge.

"Milan are the stronger team, more compact," the Argentine argued in an interview with Sky Sport24. "We are first in the league and we are there on merit.

"But we can not give anything away, because Juve are still right there."

Lopez endured a difficult start to his Milan career, after arriving from Catania in January, but he scored a superb goal at Juventus Stadium on Tuesday night and is now looking forward excitedly to the future.

"I want to stay here for life," the former Barcelona striker enthused. "I have to make the most of every minute.

"I always do my best and I did not expect to play more [than I have] because this is just beginning. And I had a calf problem.

"Now I just have to worry about being ready when the coach calls me."

Lopez admitted, though, that he hopes Allegri affords him an opportunity to shine in next week's Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash with Barca at San Siro.

"My move to Barcelona was a result of my first season as a professional in Argentina," he reminisced. "At Milan, however, I came because of a heartfelt decision. It's different.

"I admit that I always want to score, but to score in Barcelona would be special."

Lopez left Camp Nou in 2007 for FC Moscow before eventually ending up in Catania three years later.

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