European action a relief for Oddo

Massimo Oddo is looking to put AC Milan's domestic problems behind them tonight when the UEFA Champions League holders take on Celtic FC in Group D.

Stuttering start
The European champions have endured a stuttering start to their Serie A campaign having taken just seven points from their first six fixtures leaving them seven points adrift of local rivals FC Internazionale Milano. However, the UEFA Champions League is a different matter altogether and the former S.S. Lazio right-back agrees the competition is more conducive to the kind of expansive football the Rossoneri like to play.

European atmosphere
"Obviously the Champions League has a different atmosphere and you are playing teams from abroad who want to win their games," Oddo told uefa.com. "In Serie A and especially at San Siro teams like to sit back and that makes it difficult for us to create and score chances. That doesn't mean we don't try to win every game we play but these European games are very special and bring out the best in us."

Maldini absent
The Milan defence has come in for criticism after conceding six goals in their first six games of the season and the 31-year-old Oddo accepts they must do better while pointing to other contributory factors such as the loss of inspirational captain Paolo Maldini who is still recovering from knee surgery.

'A big loss'
"Paolo is a big loss to us and it will be good to get him back but we must also learn to play without him," he added. "It's normal to get criticism when you concede so many goals. We know what we need to do and we want to improve starting with this game against Celtic. It will be difficult because Celtic are a very good team as they showed [in the knockout stages] last season. They also have excellent supporters who can push the team on to get a great result."

Title defence
After securing a 2-1 win against SL Benfica on Matchday 1, Oddo is already setting his sights on the knockout stages and going on to retain the trophy, something that no other side has achieved since the advent of the UEFA Champions League. "Of course it would be great to win the Champions League again this season and make some history but first we have to pass through the group," he said. "We have given ourselves a good start with the win against Benfica and now we must try and build on that against Celtic."