Sollied expects tough challenge

By Mark Bennett in Bruges

Despite upsetting AC Milan at San Siro two weeks ago Club Brugge KV coach Trond Sollied insists that a point from the return match against the UEFA Champions League holders will be enough for his side.

Difficult match
Sollied admitted it was a surprise to win 1-0 in Milan on Matchday 3 and is expecting a difficult match at the Jan-Breydelstadion. "I do not think the match here will be any easier than the match in Italy," Sollied said. "At the moment we do not know what formation they will look to and that always makes it hard."

Verlinden doubtful
The coach's biggest worry at the moment is goalkeeper Dany Verlinden, currently nursing an arm injury. "We all know that Dany can help us pick up points on a good day and losing him would be a blow," Sollied said. "He will face a fitness test tomorrow and then we will see, but I never take risks and if he is not fit then he will not play."

'Wait and see'
Verlinden himself explained: "Just like the coach I do not know if I will be fit in time for the match. We will have to wait and see what the doctors say in the morning. If I don't make it then we have two other goalkeepers that can step up and do the job at hand."

Brugge motivated
Whoever plays in goal, Sollied believes his team are up for the challenge. "It is never hard to motivate a team when you are playing against the likes of Milan," he said. "If players are not motivated in a match like this then they are in the wrong profession."

'We can win'
Veteran forward Gert Verheyen added: "The good thing about the win in the San Siro is that we know we can beat Milan now. We will have to take that knowledge on to the field with us."

'Under pressure'
Meanwhile, Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said his side faced a challenge even before the Matchday 3 loss. "If you are part of a club like Milan then you are always under pressure," he said. "The defeat against Brugge has not made any difference at all."

Serginho out
Milan's Brazilian midfield player Serginho will miss the match after twisting his left ankle and rupturing two ligaments in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Juventus FC. "Serginho picked up an ankle injury in the match against Juventus," said Ancelotti, and scans subsequently confirmed that the player could be out for up to ten weeks. Filippo Inzaghi is also sidelined with a muscular problem.

More than revenge
Jon Dahl Tomasson, tipped to replace Inzaghi, said his side were not simply motivated by their defeat a fortnight ago. "I do not think that revenge is the right term for a football match," he said. "All we are thinking about is winning the match and taking three points."