Istanbul or bust for Kaká

By Fernando Duarte

AC Milan midfielder Kaká says he is prepared to "sweat blood" to win the UEFA Champions League. The 23-year-old has already lifted the FIFA World Cup with Brazil, but having missed Milan's victory against Juventus FC in May 2003, he is determined to add a Champions League winners' medal to his collection.

Trophy collection
"If we get to the final, I will have the opportunity to add the Champions League to the World Cup I won," Kaká told uefa.com. "And I will sweat blood for this. I have always dreamt of winning titles at club and national team level and there's no bigger honour for a club than winning the Champions League. I'm not nervous - I feel ready for the challenge."

Nasty precedent
After defeating PSV Eindhoven 2-0 in their semi-final first leg, the Rossoneri are on the verge of the final in Istanbul on 25 May. But Kaká, an €8.5m buy from São Paulo FC in June 2003, is taking nothing for granted - especially as his first taste of Champions League action last season ended with a shock 4-0 defeat by RC Deportivo La Coruña.

Deportivo calamity
He said: "I wouldn't be naïve enough to expect an easy life in this match. We are not going to think we are already on our way to Istanbul. People can expect a lot of motivation from us. I don't need to remind anyone about the famous Deportivo story - when we blew a 4-1 lead.

Tough contenders
"No team reaches the semi-final by accident. PSV are a great side and very difficult to beat. It wasn't a surprise that they attacked us in Milan. It was one of our hardest games in the competition, and I expect an even harder contest in Eindhoven."

Confident Milan
However, with a defence that has leaked only three goals in eleven games this European campaign, Kaká does concede that Milan are confident they will be travelling to Turkey later this month.

World's best
"We have a defence full of veterans, but they have been incredible and I don't hesitate to say that we have the best back four in the world," he said. "Paolo Maldini, Jaap Stam, Cafu and Alessandro Nesta are extremely experienced and when they are fit, they make everybody in the team feel safe. They give us confidence for this game."

Ancelotti record
Following their triumph in 2003, coach Carlo Ancelotti is within sight of leading the Serie A giants to a second European Champion Clubs' Cup in three years. But while last season's winning coach, José Mourinho, left Porto for a new challenge at Chelsea FC, Kaká is sure his 45-year-old boss will be at the San Siro next term - whether Milan win or not.

'Inspirational leader'
"If he wanted to leave, he would be a great coach at any club. But AC Milan are one of the biggest clubs in the world and I don't really know if Carlo Ancelotti would find a bigger challenge," Kaká said. "He's a great leader and knows how to prepare the team for every kind of opponent. Moreover, he knows the squad so well and manages to keep everybody focused. He is great for us."