Crvena Zvezda v Milan
When: 20:45 local, Tuesday 22nd August, 2006
Where: Maracanà Stadium, Belgrade

Milan start off this second leg encounter with a precious 1-0 advantage which they hope will be enough to hold the fury of Red Star Belgrade.

Carlo Ancelotti knows that it will not be an easy encounter, especially when one remembers that back in the late eighties and early nineties, when the now Milan coach was a central midfielder at the club, the Rossoneri always had a hard time against a team which eventually won the Champions Cup trophy.

In fact, the last time they met, Milan were losing 1-0 thanks to a goal by Savicevic, but the game was suspended due to fog. In the replay of the game, the Rossoneri managed to achieve a 1-1 score and eventually qualify to the next round thanks to the penalty shoot-out.

For Milan this is a situation of do-or-die, as an eventual defeat could be disastrous for the club's finance, and would definitely be a detriment into luring new world class players to the club for this season.

To qualify Milan need a draw or a win, whereas Red Star will have to win with a two goal difference in order to advance.


Team News

What's worrying for Ancelotti is that he cannot rely on his best defensive players, as Nesta, Kaldaze and Maldini are still unavailable. The defence will in fact rely on the veterans Cafu, Costacurta and Serginho, apart from Simic and Dida between the goal posts.

The only doubt for the Rossoneri is who will partner Inzaghi upfront, with Gilardino losing quotations following his poor performance in the first leg.

Ancelotti also confirmed that Milan will not go to Belgrade to defend the 1-0 obtained in the first leg, but on the contrary the Rossoneri will attack and try to close the encounter as soon as possible to avoid any surprises.


Players To Watch

Nenad Kovacevic (Crvena Zvezda)
The captain of the Belgrade team will have to motivate the players on the field to keep on believing till the last minute that their squad can beat Milan. His roles will be extremely important as the Serbian side needs all the confidence it can get.

Filippo Inzaghi (Milan)
The striker started off the season scoring goals and this is what he will want to continue doing against Red Star. His finishing and excellent form makes him a sure starter, ahead of Alberto Gilardino.


Prediction

It will not be easy for Milan, but with the sheer quality they possess they should be able to hold on to at least a draw and qualify for the coveted Champions League.

Crvena Zvezda 1, Milan 1


Goal

Players to watch??? Inzaghiiii?? hehe

..hold on to at least a draw .. - are they kidding??

i think tonight is gonna be Kaka's match, so he is the player to watch.

the thing is Goal's score predictions are always wrong ...

Kaka is always the player to watch ...

Shame on you

what the f@ck is your problem???
Quit posting these mafiosi pictures!!!!!!!!!


...

Ok, I'm not sure about this, but I think the 'Mafiosi' thing was addressed to UEFA. I read it somewhere, but I'm not sure I understood it well. As I said, I might be completely wrong though.

It was addressed to UEFA

for what???
that's highlt unlikely ... he wouldn't post those pictures othrwise.
Still the fact that they stood up and applauded everyone in the end complicates thing in my mind ...