Better late than never for Fiori

Valerio Fiori could make his UEFA Champions League debut at the age of 38 on Wednesday with AC Milan's first and second-choice goalkeepers both injured.

Finger injury
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that Zeljko Kalac is unlikely to be available for the first knockout round game at Arsenal FC, with the 35-year-old Australian having dislocated a finger on his right hand in training on Sunday. "For a goalkeeper, a finger is very important," Ancelotti said. "Honestly, I don't think he will be able to play. We will see in our final training session. If he doesn't manage to train, Fiori will play." With Dida already ruled out of the first-leg trip because of a back injury, Fiori – whose last competitive appearance for the Rossoneri came in 2003 – will make his UEFA Champions League bow.

Law degree
"I have been training every day for 20 years so I should be ready," said Fiori. "I haven't played much so I think I have trained more than any other keeper." Born in Rome, Fiori spent the most active part of his career at S.S. Lazio, playing 117 league matches between 1986 and 1993. He then moved to Cagliari Calcio, AC Cesena, ACF Fiorentina and Piacenza FC, eventually signing for Milan in summer 1999. At the San Siro he has had just two competitive outings, although he has used his time wisely – graduating with an honours degree in law from Rome's Sapienza University.