[han2503]

Milan - AEK Athens

Group stage - Matchday 1 - 2006/2007

Wednesday 13th September 2006

Time: 20:45 (Italian time), 19:45 (UK time)

Let's try to get off to a winning start, I predict a 2-0

This post has been edited by han2503: Sep 6 2006, 02:56 PM

[Jack Sparrow]

Oh bugger?

Hey is Carlo there in this forum??

Well in that case..I'm sure Oli is not 100pc fit...no other explanation

[misha]

Hey is Carlo there in this forum??

I wish he were. We have good tips for him (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[misha]

Ancelotti aware of AEK danger

This may be Carlo Ancelotti's sixth season in charge of AC Milan but his desire to win has not diminished with the passage of time. Ahead of the Rossoneri's opening Group H encounter with AEK Athens FC on Wednesday the coach made it abundantly clear just how important he considers the UEFA Champions League, saying simply: "It's our main objective."

European love affair
Milan's love affair with the UEFA Champions League is such that their name has become synonymous with the competition. Only Real Madrid CF have won more European Champion Clubs' Cups and a glance at the Italian giants' performance in the tournament over the last five years pays testament to their coach. In that time Milan have reached the final twice, winning it in 2003, and the semi-finals and quarter-finals on one further occasion each.

'Dangerous ground'
However, Ancelotti has not got this far by underestimating his opposition, and was quick to contradict suggestions that a group containing AEK, LOSC Lille Métropole and RSC Anderlecht would be straightforward for the six-time winners. "You're on dangerous ground if you think things will be easy," said Ancelotti. "AEK may be little-known but it is the lesser-known sides that can spring surprises. We need to respect them the same way we do the bigger clubs. What's more, having played only one league match so far this season some clubs are fitter than us. They will be up for the fight and so must we be."

Winning start
Unlike their Greek counterparts, who have mustered draws in their first three league matches, Milan got their Serie A campaign off to a winning start by overcoming S.S. Lazio 2-1 on Sunday. Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini returned to central defence after injury and Ancelotti refused to blame their lack of match sharpness for the Lazio goal, saying: "That wasn't a result of individual errors, the whole team got stretched. We need to be careful of counterattacks and get back quicker. This is a tournament we want to win and we can't afford to get off to a bad start."

First victory
Although underdogs, AEK also have no intention of starting the competition inauspiciously, even if they are still seeking their first UEFA Champions League victory after 18 games in the competition. The Greek outfit will take to the field with a positive attitude, according to their coach Lorenzo Serra Ferrer: "My players must only have one thing in mind and that's winning. Things can always change during the course of a match and we're playing a good side."

'Nothing to lose'
Serra Ferrer is without Ifeanyi Udeze due to a knee injury but refuses to be downbeat. "My hand is forced with the suspension to Nikolaos Georgeas and the Udeze injury but we're still going to give it our best shot. I wouldn't say that we have nothing to lose because there is always something to play for but we certainly aren't under the same pressure as Milan and there is no reason why we shouldn't give them a run for their money."

Probable lineups
Milan: Dida; Cafu, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta, Serginho; Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Kaká; Alberto Gilardino, Filippo Inzaghi.

AEK: Stefano Sorrentino; Martin Pautasso, Traianos Dellas, Bruno Cirillo, Stavros Giorgiopoulos; Emerson, Evangelos Moras, Vladimir Ivić; Júlio César, Nikolaos Lyberopoulos, Panagiotis Lagos.

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