AC Milan can only have one outcome in their Wednesday night Champions League quarterfinal match to keep their season alive: a victory. The Rossoneri suffered a morale-shattering first league home defeat of the season at the hands of Empoli and can now forget about Lo Scudetto. The team's focus is now fully on the Champions League, which by Carlo Ancelotti's own admission, they must win. However, a first leg result of 0-0 will mean that Milan will have to be careful not to concede first. If they were to fall behind, they could find themselves chasing the game, which is always dangerous at this stage in the competition.
Ajax have fast become the draw specialists of European football, although so far it is proving to be a success, even if it won't be winning many fans among the neutrals that have endured their matches this season.
Ronald Koeman's side drew 1-1 away to Valencia, Arsenal and Roma in the last group stage and a repeat of that score would be enough to take them through to the semi-finals, which by all accounts would be a phenomenal achievement.
The Amsterdam outfit may well be out of contention for the Eredivisie title, as they lie eight points behind PSV Eindhoven, however with Feyenoord hot on their heels for a place in this very competition next season there is still much to play for domestically, which is testing Koeman's young squad as it has been decimated by injuries all season.
Ajax have a good record against Milan, having only lost one of their five previous meetings. The most famous of their three victories came in the final 1995 European Cup final.
TEAM NEWS
Milan started their weekend clash against Empoli without Maldini, Simic, Kaladze, Pirlo, Seedorf, Serginho, Rui Costa, Gattuso & Shevchenko. That meant eight of the eleven that got Milan off to a flyer in both group stages of the Champions League were missing from the side. Luckily Simic is back from suspension and Shevchenko and Kaladze are back from injury. However, Gattuso is suspended and doubts still surround Rui Costa, Maldini and Serginho, whilst two of their finest ? Pirlo and Seedorf ? are out for the rest of the season. Ancelotti will probably call on veteran Billy Costacurta to replace Maldini while Rivaldo will deputize in the unlikely event that Rui Costa does not feature. Fernando Redondo is looking likely to come on for Serginho, who is losing his battle to make the match.
Saturday's win against Roda JC came at a cost for Koeman as both Rafael van der Vaart and Maxwell were taken off with injuries. Van der Vaart suffered concussion, but reports suggest he will be allowed to play in the San Siro, while Maxwell took a knock to the ankle. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is also a doubt, which is the biggest concern for Koeman, while Jari Litmanen is struggling to be fully fit and is not expected to start.
FORM GUIDE
Milan last 6 (all comps): WLDWWL
Milan's form had started to pick up with after a battling derby win over Inter and a Coppa Italian semi-final defeat of Perugia. But, injuries finally took a toll of the side and they slumped to a horrible 1-0 home defeat to Empoli. However, a full capacity crowd will be cheering them on in what is arguably the most important game of their season thus far. And for once, they will not be faced by a wall of defenders as Ajax will be on the attack as well.
Ajax: Last 6 (all comps): DLWDLW
Ajax's only two wins in their last six matches have come in the Eredivisie against RBC Roosendaal (4-1) and Roda JC (4-2) on Saturday. Last Wednesday the Dutch Cup holders were dumped out of the competition in the semi-finals by Feyenoord. They've also drawn six of their last seven Champions League matches.
WHO'S HOT
Most of the men in Carlo Ancelotti's side have looked a bit off-colour of late. But, there is one man who seems to be performing at the highest level every time he takes to the pitch. He is Italian international defender Alessandro Nesta. Nesta has played very well lately, even scoring his maiden goal in a Rossonero shirt. His contribution against Ajax will be vital given that Milan will want to keep a clean sheet for as long as possible.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been the star of Ajax's season, especially in the Champions League, although he is a doubt for the game. The Swede's loss would be huge, as a goal for Ajax would give them a huge chance to progress after the goalless draw in the first leg. Their defence has been difficult to break in Europe this season and this is largely down to Romanian star Cristian Chivu.
WHO'S NOT
It has been a rough year for one of the world's finest. Vitor Borba Ferreira Rivaldo came to Milan amidst great hype and has simply failed to impress at the San Siro. Only a great comeback by the Brazilian in these crucial stages of European competition could salvage his future as a Rossonero.
Ajax ? none appropriate.
PROBABLE LINEUPS:
AC Milan (4-4-2): Dida; Simic, Nesta, Costacurta, Kaladze; Rui Costa, Brocchi, Ambrosini, Redondo; Shevchenko, Inzaghi
Ajax: (4-4-1-1): Lobont; Trabelso, Chivu, Pasanen, Van Damme; Galasek, De Jong, Pienaar, Witschge; van der Vaart; Ibrahimovic
Ajax have fast become the draw specialists of European football, although so far it is proving to be a success, even if it won't be winning many fans among the neutrals that have endured their matches this season.
Ronald Koeman's side drew 1-1 away to Valencia, Arsenal and Roma in the last group stage and a repeat of that score would be enough to take them through to the semi-finals, which by all accounts would be a phenomenal achievement.
The Amsterdam outfit may well be out of contention for the Eredivisie title, as they lie eight points behind PSV Eindhoven, however with Feyenoord hot on their heels for a place in this very competition next season there is still much to play for domestically, which is testing Koeman's young squad as it has been decimated by injuries all season.
Ajax have a good record against Milan, having only lost one of their five previous meetings. The most famous of their three victories came in the final 1995 European Cup final.
TEAM NEWS
Milan started their weekend clash against Empoli without Maldini, Simic, Kaladze, Pirlo, Seedorf, Serginho, Rui Costa, Gattuso & Shevchenko. That meant eight of the eleven that got Milan off to a flyer in both group stages of the Champions League were missing from the side. Luckily Simic is back from suspension and Shevchenko and Kaladze are back from injury. However, Gattuso is suspended and doubts still surround Rui Costa, Maldini and Serginho, whilst two of their finest ? Pirlo and Seedorf ? are out for the rest of the season. Ancelotti will probably call on veteran Billy Costacurta to replace Maldini while Rivaldo will deputize in the unlikely event that Rui Costa does not feature. Fernando Redondo is looking likely to come on for Serginho, who is losing his battle to make the match.
Saturday's win against Roda JC came at a cost for Koeman as both Rafael van der Vaart and Maxwell were taken off with injuries. Van der Vaart suffered concussion, but reports suggest he will be allowed to play in the San Siro, while Maxwell took a knock to the ankle. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is also a doubt, which is the biggest concern for Koeman, while Jari Litmanen is struggling to be fully fit and is not expected to start.
FORM GUIDE
Milan last 6 (all comps): WLDWWL
Milan's form had started to pick up with after a battling derby win over Inter and a Coppa Italian semi-final defeat of Perugia. But, injuries finally took a toll of the side and they slumped to a horrible 1-0 home defeat to Empoli. However, a full capacity crowd will be cheering them on in what is arguably the most important game of their season thus far. And for once, they will not be faced by a wall of defenders as Ajax will be on the attack as well.
Ajax: Last 6 (all comps): DLWDLW
Ajax's only two wins in their last six matches have come in the Eredivisie against RBC Roosendaal (4-1) and Roda JC (4-2) on Saturday. Last Wednesday the Dutch Cup holders were dumped out of the competition in the semi-finals by Feyenoord. They've also drawn six of their last seven Champions League matches.
WHO'S HOT
Most of the men in Carlo Ancelotti's side have looked a bit off-colour of late. But, there is one man who seems to be performing at the highest level every time he takes to the pitch. He is Italian international defender Alessandro Nesta. Nesta has played very well lately, even scoring his maiden goal in a Rossonero shirt. His contribution against Ajax will be vital given that Milan will want to keep a clean sheet for as long as possible.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been the star of Ajax's season, especially in the Champions League, although he is a doubt for the game. The Swede's loss would be huge, as a goal for Ajax would give them a huge chance to progress after the goalless draw in the first leg. Their defence has been difficult to break in Europe this season and this is largely down to Romanian star Cristian Chivu.
WHO'S NOT
It has been a rough year for one of the world's finest. Vitor Borba Ferreira Rivaldo came to Milan amidst great hype and has simply failed to impress at the San Siro. Only a great comeback by the Brazilian in these crucial stages of European competition could salvage his future as a Rossonero.
Ajax ? none appropriate.
PROBABLE LINEUPS:
AC Milan (4-4-2): Dida; Simic, Nesta, Costacurta, Kaladze; Rui Costa, Brocchi, Ambrosini, Redondo; Shevchenko, Inzaghi
Ajax: (4-4-1-1): Lobont; Trabelso, Chivu, Pasanen, Van Damme; Galasek, De Jong, Pienaar, Witschge; van der Vaart; Ibrahimovic
