AC Milan coach Clarence Seedorf has told Antonio Conte to stop complaining about fixtures as Juventus travel to San Siro on Sunday.
The Bianconeri boss had expressed his unhappiness at having to face the Rossoneri so soon after Thursday's Europa League last-32 second-leg clash with Trabzonspor, which the Old Lady won thanks to goals from Arturo Vidal and Pablo Daniel Osvaldo.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's Serie A clash at the Giuseppe Meazza, Seedorf was quick to point out that Conte should by now be well aware of the consequences of competing on two fronts.
"Conte knows that the big teams have to deal with the calendar," the 37-year-old Dutchman told sportmasta.
"And that they will have two games only a couple of days apart. Anyone who plays in Europe knows that this is the nature of the calendar. You do not complain about it.
"Conte has done a great job, I congratulate him. Ever since they won the league title, they have grown.
"When you win, you automatically improve morale, acquire respect. Conte, like [Fiorentina boss Vincenzo] Montella, has revamped the Italian football and I think a good thing.
"These are two coaches who bring freshness."
Milan have endured a difficult season and currently sit in ninth, though they have improved since Seedorf's appointment in January, having suffered only one league defeat in their last five outings.
"I do not look at the standings," the former Rossoneri and Real Madrid midfielder mused.
"I want another great performance against a great team. For us, this is the only thing that counts.
"I've won two Champions League finals against Juventus [for Madrid in 1998 and Milan in 2003]. I scored against Juventus for three different clubs.
"But that is history. And this game does not define my coaching career, but it might make a difference to Milan's season."
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