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AC Milan can qualify for the next round of the Champions League
with a game to spare if it secures a point at Benfica on Wednesday.
The Lisbon club, meanwhile, is struggling at the bottom of Group D after three
defeats in four games, including a 2-1 defeat at Milan in September.
Though a draw would send Milan through, the Italian club is eyeing first place
in the group.
"The primary objective is a victory," Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said.
Milan won't have midfielders Massimo Ambrosini (banned) and Emerson (ankle
injury) and forward Filippo Inzaghi (flu).
Clarence Seedorf will likely start in the Milan midfield, providing support with
Kaka for forward Alberto Gilardino.
Ronaldo could also play in Lisbon, three days after completing his first
competitive match in six months at Cagliari in the Serie A on Sunday.
Ronaldo, who has been out since July with a thigh injury, won a penalty - which
Kaka failed to convert - and hit the post in the second half before Milan
rallied to win 2-1.
"Ronaldo has moments of true brilliance and that's what we count on," Ancelotti
said. "I'm convinced he can do well."
Milan has had an indifferent start to the Italian first division and is ninth
after 12 matches, though it has shown stronger form in Europe.
Gilardino poked in the Rossoneri's first goal in the 61st and Andrea Pirlo
secured only the team's fourth league victory of the season at Cagliari with a
long-range free kick four minutes from time.
"It was an important victory for how it came about," Ancelotti said. "It was a
victory of character, not quality. These three points are good for the morale."
With two games left, Milan leads Group D with nine points, compared with six
each for Shakhtar Donetsk and Celtic. Benfica has three points.
"We have two objectives: qualification and first place," Milan vice president
Adriano Galliani said.
Benfica, whose points came from a 1-0 win over Celtic, has shown patchy form
this season but is now second in the Portuguese league, four points behind
leader Porto.
Coach Jose Antonio Camacho finally has a full-strength squad at his disposal
after a string of injuries to key players.
Uruguay midfielder Cristian Rodriguez, Portugal midfielder Armando Petit, and
Brazilian center-back David Luiz are all expected to regain their places against
Milan. |
