This a super must win. Still, it's 3 weeks away. We probably would have Ronaldo, and hopefully a better shape, by then.

(if you consider what they do to the English language translation).

I kept saying we need a LB...

[Jankulovski and the situation at Milan: Today we're worried about him, he's having an MRI done on his knee. We hope it isn't a ligament problem. He was hurt yesterday during the Empoli game.]

Serginho

I have a wierd feeling, Carlo's gonna do something crazy/wonderful with Emerson,Ambro,Rino and Pirlo.

This is bad! If Janku stays out for a month we're screwed. Favalli is a good defender but he can't help in attack...

Check out the official site guys...mass apologies pouring in for the team. There's Carlo, there's Galliani, and there's Dida.

10ster translate please. I can't make head or tail of what Dida was trying to say.

Gila-Pippo again? Did that combo ever work?

I think we'll get a much better performance out of the team with Gourcuff and Seedorf supporting a lone striker. That is, if Kaka can't play.

I hope we start with Serginho, especially after we know that Kala will be a CB,..

Lucescu is wary about a backlash from the holders, however. "Milan cannot afford to lose two home games in a row so the atmosphere will be hot," he said. "They will try to score early so they can open up space – they are lethal when they have space. They know Shakhtar are a good side with good ability. We will not change our usual approach. We cannot play like Empoli did here on Sunday. We are not coming to defend. We want to receive the plaudits of the San Siro."

CL Preview: Milan - Shakhtar Donetsk


The Red and Black half of Milan is on the brink of what could well be a major turning point in the club's history, and this clash against table toppers and red hot Shakhtar Donetsk could not have come at a worse time.

A Rise In Ukraine

Twelve months ago, the Rossoneri would have been runaway favourites to dismiss the Ukrainians in a corresponding fixture. However, the summer has brought with it a sea of change.

While Milan basked in the false sense of security offered by their Champions League triumph, arrogantly ignoring the needs of the squad, Shakhtar were building a team, a real team.

Eyebrows were raised when Cristiano Lucarelli chose to move to Ukraine, but there seems to have been a method to the perceived madness.

With underrated but very useful Brazilians Brandao, Fernandinho and Jadson in their ranks, the ebullient Nary Castillo to add bite up front, and Darijo Srna to add quality in the middle, there is talent littered over the squad.

What was needed was a coach to put it all together into a formation, and that is just what Mircea Lucescu has done. Suddenly, Shakhtar are leaving teams such as Celtic and Benfica in their wake, and looking increasingly like they might just do the same to Milan.

A Fall In Italy

The Rossoneri have gone the other way during this period. Before the season started, it was obvious to all but Galliani and Berlusconi that the team was a little too old, a little too stake. The Champions League and the signing of Alexandre Pato served to cover up the flaws.

But come to think of it, the Champions League was largely down to Kaka having an inspirational tournament, keeping them in it often when they were second best. Pato is a mere anecdote until January, and with Ronaldo still in the doldrums, there is pretty much nothing for the fans to look forward to.

Simply put, they were taken for a ride.

What was surprising was Carlo Ancelotti also towed the same line, insisting time and again that he did not need major signings. A little too much depended on Ronaldo, Kaka, Nesta, Maldini and Pirlo having their best games match in match out. 

How they could have done with Gabriel Milito, Franck Ribery, Marco Amelia and Samuel Eto'o, to name a few? Don't get me wrong, they have some big wins under their belts, and the thrashing of Lazio is just the case in point. They will do that a few more times this season, on evenings when it all comes together, but simply do not have it in them to do it with any form of consistency.

Maldini will be lucky to play one of two games each week - even that on reputation now, it seems. Nesta will also break down if pushed, and Ronaldo is unlikely to go a month without a muscular injury. God forbid Kaka picks up an injury, and we have a team that might actually struggle to fight off Fiorentina and finish in the top four.

Anyway, those are discussions for later. What Ancelotti - who will be the first to be scapegoated for this dramatic Italian fall - needs on the evening is one of those magical performances that we saw against Lazio. Who cares about the flaws? Who cares about the lethargy? One performance to keep the boat afloat for another week will do!

TEAM NEWS

Milan

For this crucial tie at home to Shakhtar, Milan will be without the services of suspended goalkeeper Dida, for his antics in Scotland three weeks ago. He will be replaced by Australian Zeljko Kalac between the posts.

Giuseppe Favalli should slot in nicely at left back, in place of the injured Marek Jankulovski, whilst Kakha Kaladze will play in the centre alongside Alessanrdo Nesta, as influential captain Paolo Maldini is being rested for this contest. If these aren’t enough for Ancelotti to deal with, he may be without the services of his main man Kaká, who is struggling with a knee problem.

Possible Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Kalac; Favalli, Kaladze, Nesta, Oddo; Ambrosini, Pirlo; Gattuso; Seedorf, Kaká (Gilardino); Inzaghi

Shakhtar

The away side have no injuries or suspensions to worry about for this fixture, and thus have a full strength squad to select from. Former Livorno striker Cristiano Lucarelli returns to Italy for the first time since his departure to his new Ukranian side, and will be looking to impress on his home soil.

Lucescu will be hoping for a repeat of the good form that saw his side defeat Benfica away on match day two, however he remains optimistic of his side’s chances.

Possible Starting XI (4-3-1-2): Pyatov; Srna, Chygrynskiy, Kucher, Rat; Ilsinho; Lewandowski, Fernandinho; Jadson; Brandao, Lucarelli

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Milan – Andrea Pirlo

Pirlo, along with Kaká, is definitely the player to watch for the Ukrainian outfit. His composure and ability to create something from nothing, time and time again, makes him a worry for all opponents. Expect Lucescu to play a marker on Pirlo, as if Kaká fails to play, and Pirlo is closed down, the away side will have a great chance. Pirlo is a dead ball specialist, so the Shakhtar back four will be extremely cautious not to give away any fouls in dangerous areas.

Shakhtar – Cristiano Lucarelli

The former Livorno hit man has had a somewhat inconsistent start to life in Ukraine, though not poor by any means. He returns to his home land this week with a chance to prove his worth once again. He did manage to score on the first matchday of the Champions League, in his side’s comfortable 2-0 victory over Celtic, and this will provide him with the confidence he needs to perform well at San Siro against AC Milan.

PREDICTION

Both sides will be in search for all three points, as for Shakhtar, a win in Milan could practically assure them of qualification, something that will be an amazing effort considering they finished last in their group last term. For Milan, although their domestic form has been poor, they seem to always perform in Europe when required, and I believe they will do so once again, if only to further postpone the impending doom. The home team to win, but by the smallest of margins.

Milan 1-0 Shakhtar