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CL: Kalac set to start
Wednesday 20 February, 2008
Zeljko Kalac is likely to be passed fit to start between the posts for Milan at the Emirates Stadium tonight, but his finger is still raising concerns.
The Australian international has impressed while filling in for Nelson Dida in recent weeks, but he is a doubt for this evening’s Champions League last 16 battle after he dislocated the phalanx of one of his fingers.
With Dida not in the squad after his latest injury, which he sustained while sitting on the bench at the Stadio Tardini, Carlo Ancelotti feared he might have to turn to third-choice custodian Valerio Fiori.
Fiori has been at Milan since 1999, but he has been a perennial understudy and made just two appearances in eight years.
Kalac trained at the Emirates Stadium this morning under the watchful eye of goalkeeper Coach Villiam Vecchi and club doctor Pierre Meeserman.
After a tense low-intensity session, the man nicknamed ‘Spider’ returned to the dressing room with a smile on his face and will now probably start tonight’s crunch match.
Arsenal (probable): Lehmann; Sagna, Senderos, Gallas, Clichy; Ebouè, Flamini, Fabregas, Hleb; Adebayor, Eduardo
Milan (probable): Kalac; Bonera, Nesta, Kaladze, Maldini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Kaka, Seedorf; Gilardino
I hope this is all a fake. Cause I fear of Kalac faking to be 100% ready.
Kaka admitted of doing so in the WC and even if the CL is not as important as the WC and is played every season, Kalac does not have many chances...
And why Bonera?? Where is Oddo?
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Cesc expects ‘ultimate test’
Wednesday 20 February, 2008
Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas certainly isn’t underestimating Milan ahead of tonight's Champions League last 16 battle in London.
The world champions have a daunting task as they prepare to face the Premier League leaders, who are still smarting from last weekend’s FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester United.
And despite Milan’s lowly position in Serie A, it doesn’t seem that their opponents are taking the Italian threat lightly.
“We didn’t play well against Manchester United, but we want to win things and against Milan you don’t need extra motivation,†Fabregas explained.
“We have to bounce back bigger and stronger than ever and this is probably the ultimate challenge.
“They are a team of experienced, strong and intelligent players and they can kill us in a minute, so we have to be at our best.
“I really rate Andrea Pirlo,†the Spaniard enthused. “He is a great player and such a good passer of the ball – he always sees the right pass.
“And then there’s Kaka. He had a great 2007 and we have to be careful of him, but they have so many other strengths and one of the best midfields in Europe.
“We have so much respect for them, but we want to prove that we can compete with them and get to the Final again.â€
Arsenal (probable): Lehmann; Sagna, Senderos, Gallas, Clichy; Ebouè, Flamini, Fabregas, Hleb; Adebayor, Eduardo
Milan (probable): Kalac; Bonera, Nesta, Kaladze, Maldini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini, Kaka, Seedorf; Gilardino
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