Milan derby kicks off Kaká quest

AC Milan midfielder Kaká is ready to face two of his most famous Brazil team-mates in quick succession as the Rossoneri take on Adriano's FC Internazionale Milano in Friday's 'Derby della Madonnina', before tackling Ronaldinho's FC Barcelona in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final four days later.

Close contest
Milan are on top form, and while they may have left it too late to catch Serie A leaders Juventus, their derby against Inter is a crucial one. Just two points separate the sides with the Rossoneri holding the advantage in the race for second place and automatic UEFA Champions League qualification.

Outraged fans
Outraged at the Nerazzurri's elimination by Villarreal CF in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, angry fans attacked Inter players at Malpensa airport after last weekend's 2-1 win at Ascoli Calcio 1898. Adriano, who is continuing to struggle, was one of the renegade supporters' main targets.

'A spectacular game'
"This is going to be a spectacular game," said Kaká, who scored his first Milan hat-trick in Sunday's 4-1 victory against AC Chievo Verona. "Both teams have strong motivation to win, so if we go out there with the right attitude and score an early goal, we can put Inter under serious pressure. As for Adriano, I think too much responsibility has been put on his shoulders. He is capable of taking the pressure, but it's over the top to blame him for their current situation."

Maturing player
Milan have registered 102 goals this season in all competitions while Kaká has scored 12 in Serie A, his highest total since joining the club in 2003. "This has been my best season so far as I'm combining the goals I scored in my first campaign in Italy with the assists I made in the second," he said. "I put it down to experience. Now I want to play a good match against Inter in order to be at my very best against Barcelona. And against Ronaldinho."

Double target
Home coach Carlo Ancelotti could decide to rest Andriy Shevchenko and Filippo Inzaghi and start with only Alberto Gilardino in attack against Inter. The Nerazzurri beat Milan 3-1 earlier in the campaign but will be without suspended Julio Cruz, while Juan Sebastián Verón is injured. "We have reached the Coppa Italia final this week," said coach Roberto Mancini. "Now we want to finish second in Serie A, so the Milan match is vital."

Other fixtures
Elsewhere, leaders Juventus visit struggling Cagliari Calcio while AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina continue their quest for fourth position and UEFA Champions League qualification by travelling to UEFA Cup hopefuls US Città di Palermo and relegated Treviso FC respectively. The Giallorossi are currently one point above Cesare Prandelli's Fiorentina.