Rossoneri reel from Ronaldo blow

AC Milan will begin their UEFA Champions League defence without Ronaldo as the Brazilian striker continues to struggle with a thigh injury.

Ancelotti blow
The 30-year-old picked up the knock in pre-season and could be sidelined for another month. The news will come as a blow for coach Carlo Ancelotti, who only last week said he expected Ronaldo to be available for Saturday's Serie A match against AC Siena. "Our initial prognosis was wrong," revealed Milan doctor Jean Pierre Meersseman. "We will know more at the beginning of next week but I think he will be available again in a month." That would rule Ronaldo out of next week's UEFA Champions League opener against SL Benfica and leaves him doubtful for the trip to Celtic FC on 3 October.