Ancelotti expects experience to tell

By Ivan Carvalho in Milan

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti believes the European experience his side have gained over recent seasons will prove crucial as newly-crowned Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven visit the San Siro for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final.

Illustrious history
Ancelotti guided his team to victory in the competition two years ago, and is keen to highlight the importance of both Milan's recent continental successes and the club's illustrious history in the tournament as they bid to reach a second final in three seasons. "We have always been in contention in this competition, it is in our DNA, and we want to be there at the end this year as well," said Ancelotti. "I think the Milan team of today is better than that of two years ago and our squad has even more experience."

PSV problem
Ancelotti nevertheless remains aware of the problems that will be posed by PSV, with the coach anticipating a difficult struggle despite his side being most people's favourites to reach the Istanbul final on 25 May. "We know this tie will not be decided here but in Eindhoven," Ancelotti said. "Although PSV are considered the underdogs, that could give them more motivation."

'Great results'
Guus Hiddink, who led PSV to European Champion Clubs' Cup glory in 1988, is also confident his team's status could work in their favour, saying: "Our budget may be the smallest of the last 16 teams in this year's Champions League, but I think we have already achieved great results."

Title race
PSV clinched the Dutch Eredivisie title on Saturday while Milan maintained their neck-and-neck race for the Serie A crown with Juventus FC, but Hiddink expects the Rossoneri to be fully focused tonight. "Milan are a very professional side who don't pay attention to their critics even when they slip up," he said.

Courage required
PSV are likely to field a youthful starting XI in Milan, and Hiddink concedes that inexperience on the continental stage may prove their undoing. "For many of my players it is their first time in a setting like the San Siro, and it will be important for them to control their nerves," he said. "We need courage when we take the pitch, we must forget about everything around us and concentrate only on football."

Counterattacking caution
For his part, Ancelotti anticipates PSV employing similar counterattacking tactics to those used by Hiddink's Korean Republic team to eliminate Italy from the 2002 FIFA World Cup. "PSV are aggressive in midfield, have dangerous wingers and are quick to get the ball downfield," observed Ancelotti, who also warned about the aerial prowess of striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Stam relief
Ancelotti is therefore relieved that Milan's former PSV defender Jaap Stam has recovered from a hamstring strain and will partner Paolo Maldini in central defence as Alessandro Nesta serves a one-match suspension, while Andrea Pirlo is also fit. Hiddink, meanwhile, must hope that his side keep their composure as five players are within a caution of missing next Wednesday's return leg, including captain Mark van Bommel and veteran midfield player Phillip Cocu.

Goalkeeping excellence
Another intriguing aspect of the tie is the comparison between the clubs' Brazilian goalkeepers, both at the top of their game. Milan's Dida has kept eight clean sheets in ten Champions League matches this season and has not conceded a goal in the competition for 526 minutes, while Heurelho Gomes saved two spot-kicks in PSV's quarter-final penalty shoot-out victory against Olympique Lyonnais.