AC Milan v Bayern Munich:Milan's coach Carlo Ancelotti could take a chance against Bayern Munich at San Siro this evening and discard the one-striker system he used against Celtic in the last round to field two as he seeks to build a lead to take to Germany next week.
The six-times European champions, who were docked eight points after last summer's Piedi Puliti investigation, have had a poor season by their standards and sit fifth in Serie A, although they drew 1-1 at second-placed Roma on Saturday, when Alberto Gilardino got their equaliser.
"Filippo Inzaghi is an extraordinary striker and he lives for European games," said Ancelotti, well aware that Bayern beat Internazionale 2-0 on their last trip to San Siro in the group stage last autumn. "He's worked hard and is in good condition after the problems with his hamstrings. Gilardino and Inzaghi are in form, and it's possible that they could play together."
Having reached three of the last four semi-finals Milan are full of optimism. "So far we haven't shown the same as we did in previous years," Ancelotti added.
"We've had our ups and downs, but that's because we've had so many injuries. We have got almost all of our players back. Alessandro Nesta came back on Saturday and from tomorrow, or very soon, Serginho and Kakha Kaladze will also be back."
Milan have a good record against Bayern, beating them home and away on the way to the 2003 Champions League and also putting four past them at San Siro to seal a 5-2 aggregate win last season.
"Bayern are tough to break down and they have improved a lot since December," Ancelotti added. "The suspension of Oliver Kahn could weigh on them, as could that of Mark Van Bommel. But they are well organised with an excellent defence."
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge yesterday expressed concerns about Russian referee Yuri Baskakov officiating tonight's match. "We are all unpleasantly surprised that a Russian, and a very inexperienced Russian at that, will be in charge of the match," Rummenigge was quoted in an interview with German sports news agency SID.
"Last year another Russian made unfortunate calls against us," he said, referring to Bayern's 4-1 loss at AC Milan in the last 16. Guardian Service
