[Fillipo Simone]

This is a must win match. I see no possible problems for us,..

[misha]

C4 preview

Last season Ronaldo was the star of the show with his first goals for Milan in a thrilling 4-3 away victory, but Il Fenomeno won’t be at the Stadio Franchi after a return to Brazil ruled him out for a month.

The Rossoneri have not been able to field the South American at all so far this term and it looks as if they will have to make do without him for a while longer. With Alberto Gilardino continuing to misfire, Pippo Inzaghi giving his best in Europe and Alexandre Pato ineligible until January, Carlo Ancelotti has some tough choices to make.

Their Champions League campaign kicks off on Tuesday against Manuel Rui Costa’s Benfica and they cannot afford another Serie A slip after their 1-1 with Fiorentina. Kaka looks set to take a more pro-active role in support of Gila along with Clarence Seedorf, resting the veteran Inzaghi for the continental competition. Paolo Maldini and Serginho are the other long-term absentees.

Siena are among the favourites to go down this season and two consecutive defeats are not a promising start. Coach Andrea Mandorlini aims to stick with his favoured 4-3-3 system that, although attacking in theory, has given them just one goal in favour and five against. Their record against Milan in this fixture is no more reassuring with one win in April 2005 and three losses.

Enrico Chiesa again seems destined for the bench despite the poor form of Massimo Maccarone and Mario Frick, while Roma youth product Daniele Corvia is bound to feature as a substitute in the second half when legs are tiring. Valerio Bertotto is sidelined with a muscular problem, but Milan-owned Argentine defender Leandro Grimi gets the chance to shine against the club that sent him out on loan.

Keep an eye on: Paul Codrea (Siena) – The midfielder’s powerful free kicks from distance can spring a surprise on a shaky-looking Nelson Dida.

Last season: Siena 3-4 Milan

Form guide: Siena (- - - L L) Milan (- - - W D)

Siena (probable): Manninger; Alberto, Portanova, Loria, Grimi; Vergassola, Codrea, Galloppa; Frick, Maccarone, De Ceglie

Milan (probable): Dida; Oddo, Nesta, Kaladze, Jankulovski; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kaka, Seedorf; Gilardino