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AC Milan vs. Ajax Amsterdam Preview Posted: Tuesday April 22, 2003 10:24 AMWednesday, April 23, KO 1845 GMT, San Siro, Champions League quarterfinal, second leg. Ajax and AC Milan are tied 0-0 on aggregate. MILAN (Reuters) -- Its Serie A titles hopes in tatters and without almost its entire first-choice midfield, AC Milan's season now hangs in the balance ahead of Wednesday's Champions quarterfinal, second-leg with Ajax Amsterdam. A humiliating 1-0 defeat at the San Siro by lowly Empoli on Saturday has left Milan nine points behind leader Juventus with five games of the Serie A season remaining -- all but mathematically out of the title race. The loss was also a warning that after the goalless draw in Amsterdam two weeks ago, Milan can take nothing for granted despite the home advantage for Wednesday's tie. Earlier in the campaign, Carlo Ancelotti's side put itself among the favorites to challenge Real Madrid for the European title with some scintillating performances, including a sparkling victory over the holder. Now those autumn evenings when Milan's fluid passing and deadly finishing helped it to impressive wins at Deportivo Coruna and Bayern Munich feel like they belong to another age. None of the midfield trio, so influential in those group phase victories, will face the Dutchmen -- Andrea Pirlo and Dutchman Clarence Seedorf are both ruled out until the end of the season by injuries while Gennaro Gattuso is suspended. Brazilian Rivaldo has suffered such a slump in form that despite the absentees he is still expected to start the game on the bench. Big challenge "We have the big challenge of the season facing us. In the Champions League, against great sides, we haven't failed yet when it has mattered. Ajax are a very good young side but we have to do it," said striker Filippo Inzaghi. Ancelotti has kept the team in their training camp since Saturday's defeat as he seeks to restore the right spirit among the players. Brazilian winger Serginho is doubtful after picking up a knock against Empoli and, should he not be fit to take his spot on the left flank, Georgian defender Kakha Kaladze, himself returning from an injury lay-off, could take over. Captain Paolo Maldini, who is recovering from a broken nose, should play but wearing a protective mask. Ajax also have injury problems with a 4-2 win over Roda JC Kerkrade on Saturday resulting in Rafael van der Vaart, Brazilian Maxwell and Finn Jari Litmanen being added to the injury list. Koeman's biggest worry for Wednesday is playmaker Van der Vaart, who suffered concussion. Thomas Galasek, Steven Pienaar, Hatem Trabelsi, Andre Bergdolmo all have knocks of varying degrees but joined Ajax's last training session before their departure to Milan. Koeman is confident that, despite the niggles, most of those on the treatment table should be able to play. "I believe players are focussed on the Milan match so they will just learn to play with what is a small inconvenience," said the Ajax coach. The winner Wednesday will face a semifinal against either Milan's derby rival Inter Milan or Valencia, who play Tuesday with the Italians leading 1-0 after the first leg. Probable teams: Milan: 12-Dida; 14-Dario Simic, 13-Alessandro Nesta, 3-Paolo Maldini, 19-Alessandro Costacurta; 32-Christian Brocchi, 23-Massimo Ambrosini, 10-Rui Costa, 4-Kakha Kaladze (or 27-Serginho); 7-Andriy Shevchenko, 9-Filippo Inzaghi. Ajax: 1-Bogdan Lobont; 2-Hatem Trabelsi, 5-Christian Chivu, 16-Petri Pasanen, 18-John O'Brien; 22-Abubakari Yakubu, 4-Thomas Galasek, 10-Steven Pienaar, 37-Wesley Sneijder; 9-Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 23-Rafael van der Vaart. Match Stats:Head-to-head record: Played: 5, Wins: Ajax Amsterdam 3, AC Milan 1, Draws: 1 Previous meetings:
AC Milan:
Ajax Amsterdam:
Champions League results 2002-03
Ajax Amsterdam P13 W3 D8 A2 F12 A10
Notes: Though Milan start with an advantage, having drawn the away leg, this tie is by no means over. AC have lost their last two home games against Dutch clubs, one of them a 2-0 defeat by Ajax eight years ago when the Amsterdam club went on to win the title. Milan has also lost two of its last four home games in the Champions League at the San Siro and has failed to win in the competition in its three games since February. Ajax has proved remarkably resilient and hard to beat this season with just two defeats in 13 games, conceding a paltry 10 goals. It has drawn its last five matches and its only away defeat was as long ago as last September when it lost 1-0, in Milan of all places, to Inter. A repeat of any of the results of its last four away games would see it into the semifinals. Milan's record v Dutch clubs: P11 W5 D1 L5 F10 A10
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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