AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli expects a tight contest against Roma.

Milan meet Roma in the first-leg of their Europa League quarterfinal tonight.

Pioli said: “It's a different story, it's a different competition. We know the difficulties in facing an opponent who are very good, who produce excellent football, but we come to this challenge well and we'll put our qualities on the pitch.

“Roma changed with the arrival of De Rossi, we didn't review the direct clashes in the league but we focused on the new concepts and new positions that De Rossi transmitted to the team.

“For us it's a good moment, certainly. The team are well and face the decisive moment of the season in the right way. It will be a 180-minute challenge, but tomorrow evening we must try to bring home something positive."

He added, “In the end, teams of the highest level will surely arrive, already in the quarter-finals it's like this. There are really strong teams, it's a really important and prestigious objective, we have to face these challenges with great attention."