Ancelotti seeks repeat performance

By Ivan Carvalho

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti believes his side will once again have the edge over FC Internazionale Milano when they meet their city rivals in the UEFA Champions League almost two years after eliminating them at the semi-final stage.

Shevchenko decisive
Milan defeated Inter on away goals en route to lifting the trophy in 2003, a goalless first leg followed by a 1-1 draw at the stadium both teams call home. Andriy Shevchenko's 'away' goal proved decisive for the Rossoneri and having masterminded that triumph, Ancelotti is optimistic of a repeat performance in Wednesday's quarter-final first leg.

'Stronger side'
"If I think about the 2003 semi-finals, I must say that this Milan side are stronger," Ancelotti said. "We have piled up experience and we are approaching the match in the best of conditions whereas Inter are just starting off this year as a new squad."

Closely matched
In recent seasons, Milan have hogged the city's bragging rights. Their cross-town rivals have to go back to March 2002 for their last Serie A win against the old enemy. Yet even though the games did not meet the expectations of the fans or the hype in the media, the sides were closely matched in both league derbies this term.

Nerazzurri knowledge
Milan secured a goalless draw in October before Kaká's solitary strike settled February's encounter in favour of the red and blacks. Still, Inter coach Roberto Mancini feels Milan's experience gives them a slight advantage over two legs. "In terms of ball possession and scoring chances there wasn't much between us in the two derbies," he said. "I know them well, but Ancelotti also knows us well. They are certainly more relaxed because they have won trophies in the last two years."

'Long derby'
With Milan again at home for the first leg, Ancelotti predicted a gruelling fight which would mirror the 2003 tie. "It will be a long derby that stretches out over 180 minutes and will be decided in the final leg," said Ancelotti. "A goalless draw in the first match is not a bad result, since not conceding a goal at home can be an advantage, just like it was two years ago."

Stam dilemma
Ancelotti will be boosted by the news that Shevchenko has recovered from a fractured cheekbone suffered against Cagliari Calcio in February and is expected to play. The former Juventus FC boss also has a healthy back line which has not conceded a goal in this competition since Matchday 4 against FC Barcelona. He must decide whether to deploy Paolo Maldini at left-back in order to make space for Jaap Stam in the centre.

Striking crisis
Mancini, meanwhile, will opt for Obafemi Martins and Julio Cruz in attack as fitness concerns still surround Christian Vieri. Brazilian forward Adriano - the scorer of seven Champions League goals this season - is sidelined with an injured knee. But Mancini refused to hide behind excuses. "They didn't have Shevchenko in the league derby," said Mancini. "If you're a footballer you can get injured. We would obviously have preferred to be able to choose from all our strikers, but that's not possible."