[Warchant]

On the eve of the Celtic-Milan match, Ancelotti confessed: "I will be rooting for Inter and Roma, our football can improve its image."

The Champions League offers a great chance for the Italian football scene to redeem itself after the latest episodes of (deadly) violence, which is why Milan coach Ancelotti will be rooting for Inter and Roma as well in the upcoming knockout rounds of the competition.

That is what the coach said today at the Malpensa airport before embarking on the flight to Glasgow, where his team will face Celtic.

"Since after the World Cup - Ancelotti said - the image of Italian football has continued to deteriorate, until we hit rock bottom with the incidents at Catania.

"These days we are playing games in empty or half-empty stadiums whereas in other countries you see stadiums full of people, enthusiasm, a civil sports culture.

"For this reason I say the Champions League must be our opportunity to re-launch the image of Italian football and show Europe the strength of our football."

So in that sense he will also be rooting for Inter and Roma: "The Champions League is the highest stage there is and I don't agree with Capello when he says those things - he added referring to the Real Madrid coach's assessment of the Italian league as "easier" compared to the Spanish and English leagues.

"I'd say that Capello just made a technical evaluation but I don't agree. I think the Italian league is very difficult. Ronaldo has integrated himself very well in the team and he scores because he is good, not because it's 'easy'."

As for the relation between Italian and European football, we will have a clearer idea after this Champions League round - Ancelotti responded. - I will be rooting for Inter and Roma as well because Italian football needs positive results at the moment."