[misha]

VALLETTA (AFP) - AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti admits he is pessimistic about his team's chances of winning the Champions League.

Milan are six-time European champions and reached the final in 2005, but their confidence has been knocked by their eight-point penalty for match-fixing which has left them languishing in midtable in Serie A.

Ancelotti insisted a top-four finish in the league - which would clinch a place in the third qualifying round of next season's Champions League - was his team's main priority.

"We are looking at a fourth-place finish rather than the Champions League,", the Milan coach said as he team prepared to leave their Maltese winter break training ahead of Saturday's Berlusconi trophy match against Juventus.

"To get to the final of the Champions League is an almost impossible dream, while finishing fourth is more likely, although less exciting."

Milan face Celtic in the last 16 of the competition. The first leg takes place at Parkhead, Glasgow on February 20 before the Italians entertain the Scottish champions at the San Siro on March 7.

Were it not for their points handicap for their role in the Italian match-fixing scandal, Milan would now be fourth in Serie A.

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[Rossoneri7]

I'm confused ! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

So .. FIrst he says he wants the CL .. Now it is impossible (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Well, it would be impossible if the team perform the way they did in the first part of the season !

[X-Offender]

I'm confused ! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

So .. FIrst he says he wants the CL .. Now it is impossible  (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Yeah, strange. And I don't think it's that impossible like he claims.

[Ry4n]

you know i saw this comming , but i think we still have try and win it regardless , we will get champions league if we keep our recent form of just 2 games

[HasanHasanly]

This is complete BS! Carletto would never say something like this... Cmon people its yahoo sports, what do you expect (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[han2503]

I think it's better to keep people thinking we are still going through the rough patch even if we have improved, that way we will sneak up on our opponents and crush their @sses (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/devil.gif)

[HasanHasanly]

@han2503

True, True, but never forget about the pride that Milan possesses (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[han2503]

@han2503

True, True, but never forget about the pride that Milan possesses (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Yes, but if you look through forums right now and read what people have been saying about Milan you'll understand why making people believe we are still playing bad would benefit us.

The Celtic fans are expecting a walk in the park at the moment, predicting a 3-0 win at parkhead.

I say it's better this way, Milan rarely get treated as underdogs (and I'm not saying anyone will consider us that against Celtic) but since it is Celtic we got even if we go through to the quarters everyone will still see us as light weight since it was Celtic we defeated not Chelsea or Barca

[HasanHasanly]

You know actually, im not really optimistic about the Celtic battle. Its going to be really really hard. Celtic fans and players have made it solid in their heads that Milan is beatable and that they should not miss their chance. That makes them stronger.

Milan on the other hand has to show that he has defeated and will slaughter teams like Celtic, Chelsea or Barca (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[han2503]

That over confidence is what will probably knock them out in the end (god willing (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) )

Last season we where also going through a bit of a rough patch after the new year before the bayern game, and Bayern where so confident of knocking us out you could smell the arrogane coming all the way from Germany. Then look how that turned out with them being humiliated and crushed 4-1 in the San Siro. When the Bayern coach previous to the match had said something along the lines of "the more goals we score the more closer Milan will get to being knocked out" (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[HasanHasanly]

Do not confuse Bayern and Celtic.

Over confidence gives weak ones strength and takes it from others.

I think that the best example for that can be the Istanbul Final. Now i understand that overconfidence can affect teams like Milan in just 15 minutes, causing them to lose when they are winning 3-0.

But it can have completely different effect on weaker teams. Remember Bordeaux performance in this CL (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

This post has been edited by HasanHasanly: Jan 5 2007, 09:45 PM

[han2503]

Do not confuse Bayern and Celtic.

Over confidence gives weak ones strength and takes it from others.

I think that the best example for that can be the Istanbul Final. Now i understand that overconfidence can affect teams like Milan in just 15 minutes, causing them to lose when they are winning 3-0.

But it can have completely different affect on weaker teams. Remember Bordeaux performance in this CL (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Istanbul was never about over confidence. I mean sure there must have been a bit more confidence in our players then usual but that was just a strange night. And not because of some miracle comeback by Liverpool, that's just all bull (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) Watch the match again, the score should have been a 4-1 victory in our favour with Hyypia being sent off in the 50th minute for a last man challenge on Kaka when he was clean through, a goal that was scored when play should have been stopped because of the lines man having already put up the flag but no one noticing it (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) and a Gerrard dive (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/puke.gif) And on top of all that Sheva was denied a PERFECTLY legitamte goal for a non offside.

But back to topic, I never thought once that Celtic will be a walk in the park and I don't think our players will either, they have learnth their lesson twice over now and I am sure they will play a good game. The fact that the Celtis fans are expecting a walk in the park however I think gives us the advantage

[han2503]

Ancelotti’s Final countdown

Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that reaching the Champions League Final will be a tough ask this term.

Although the Rossoneri have spent this week training in Malta ahead of tomorrow’s Trofeo Berlusconi test against Juventus, the Coach has other objectives on his mind.

“We are going to be fighting for fourth spot and the Champions League this season, even if I know that reaching the Final in Europe is almost an impossible task,” noted the tactician.

“Finishing in the top four is something we can obtain, although it is less motivating. We will have to play well to beat Celtic, but we have the advantage of playing away first.”

Milan have had a difficult start to the season, but have the chance to start the New Year in style against the Old Lady of Italian football.

“This match comes after some good training here in Malta and I expect to see the results of our preparation on the pitch,” added Carletto.

“Facing Juventus is always stimulating and it’s a great opportunity to verify the fitness of the players such as Massimo Ambrosini, who is back after a long injury.

“The Bianconeri are a strong team despite what happened in the summer and I believe they would be competitive in Serie A.”

Milan will be without some key players for the tie though. “Neither Kaka nor Kakha Kaladze will play, but will be available for the Serie A match with Reggina,” he continued.

“I am not worried about the final result, but about playing well and avoiding any injuries – it will not be a competitive match so it should be more entertaining.

“All our players are focused and prepared. This training break has been excellent for the squad,” concluded Ancelotti.

Meanwhile, striker Alberto Gilardino insists that he is happy at Milan, despite reports suggesting he might leave the San Siro.

“I am fine at Milan and there is nothing else to say,” said the world champion. “I only hope to score more in 2007, just as I used to do when I was at Parma.

“We really want to do well in the match with Juventus, they are missed in Serie A so tomorrow's game is one that we want to win.”

I think that is what Carlo meant to say, not what was said above, we Maltese get confused easily (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (that was first reported by Maltese journalists)

This post has been edited by han2503: Jan 5 2007, 09:51 PM

[HasanHasanly]

The Istanbul Final happened only because for a moment there Milan thought that they were champions, and only one goal was enough to kick them off the track.

Well lets hope it turns out well for all of us, and lets see how we do tomorrow, and if Malta training was of any good. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[han2503]

The Istanbul Final happened only because for a moment there Milan thought that they were champions, and only one goal was enough to kick them off the  track.

Well lets hope it turns out well for all of us, and lets see how we do tomorrow, and if Malta training was of any good. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I will never be convinced that that is what happened, not after I saw the match again.

Against La Coruna, yes it was our fault for thinking we where already semi finalists wen we stepped out to play the second leg, but Istanbul is a whole nother story.