CHAMPIONS LEAGUE/AC Milan V Deportivo: European champions AC Milan head into tonight's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Deportivo Coruna on a high after an impressive victory over Parma on Saturday.
Milan, who have a 10-point lead at the top of Serie A, have not lost in the Italian league or Europe since a defeat to Udinese on December 21st.
On Saturday they followed up their 3-1 win away over Juventus with a victory by the same scoreline over Parma at the San Siro.
Danish striker Jon Dahl Tomasson scored twice and Brazilian Kaka delivered another scintillating display.
Deportivo reached the last eight by eliminating Juventus earlier this month but while the Turin side were hit by injuries and lack of confidence, Milan could not be in better shape.
"There is so much enthusiasm amongst us and around us," said captain Paolo Maldini. "The San Siro is full all the time and people are happy. We keep on winning and now we have to keep our concentration and carry on."
Coach Carlo Ancelotti is without central defender Alessandro Nesta and has a doubt over Brazilian keeper Dida, who has a back injury. If the Brazilian does not make it then Christian Abbiati will deputise.
In attack, Ancelotti has to decide whether to bring back Filippo Inzaghi, who was rested against Parma, or stick with the in-form Tomasson as partner for Andriy Shevchenko.
Deportivo ended a three-match losing streak in the league with an unconvincing 1-0 win over basement side Murcia on Saturday, but coach Javier Irureta was able to rest some of his first-choice players ahead of the match at the San Siro.
Irureta's only selection worry is who to use on the right side of midfield to replace the suspended Victor. His most likely option will be to move Sergio across from the centre and bring in Aldo Duscher to partner Mauro Silva in the middle.
Deportivo have done well in their previous trips to Milan, and Irureta is cautiously optimistic about his side's chances of getting a good result.
"There is no doubt that we are meeting Milan at the peak of their powers," he said. "Together with Real Madrid and Arsenal they are one of the three best teams in Europe. But we are confident and believe we can get a good result."
MILAN (probable): Dida (or Abbiati); Cafu, Costacurta, Maldini, Pancaro; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kaka; Shevchenko, Inzaghi (or Tomasson)
DEPORTIVO CORUNA (probable): Molina; Scaloni, Naybet, Andrade, Romero; Sergio, Silva, Duscher, Luque; Valeron; Pandiani.
Referee: V Ivanov (Russia).
