Ancelotti tips Milan to bounce back

Coach Carlo Ancelotti insisted AC Milan "will be fired up" for their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Olympique Lyonnais on Tuesday after the Rossoneri lost 1-0 at struggling US Lecce. The French title-holders enjoyed better fortune on Saturday, defeating ES Troyes Aube Champagne to take another step towards a fifth successive Ligue 1 crown.

US Lecce 1-0 AC Milan
Ancelotti's starting XI included only four of the team which began the 0-0 draw in France (Dida, Kakha Kaladze, Alberto Gilardino and Andrea Pirlo), with the coach handing all six of his outfield substitutes from the Stade Gerland a run out. Massimo Ambrosini was promoted to the starting lineup along with Marcio Amoroso, although neither could stop Milan suffering an unexpected defeat at the hands of second-from-bottom Lecce to slip nine points behind Serie A leaders Juventus. Alex Cédric Konan scored the winner nine minutes into the second-half after Mirko Vucinic caught the visitors cold on the counterattack. Although Milan dominated the first half and came close to scoring on several occasions they found goalkeeper Vincenzo Sicignano in inspired form and could have even conceded a second as they chased the game after the break.

Ancelotti, who welcomed Cafu back after a knee injury, said: "I never thought that we could catch Juventus and now we need to keep an eye on those who are behind us. In the first half we played really well and I'm pleased with how we performed but it's a shame we missed a few chances. We were motivated for this game and I don't think it's a psychological issue either. We are just in a moment when things aren't going for us. We will be fired up for the return game with Lyon and the team will be quite different." Jaap Stam did not travel to Lecce but is expected to be available on Tuesday.

ES Troyes Aube Champagne 0-1 Olympique Lyonnais
This victory means Lyon will definitely be playing UEFA Champions League football next season as it moved them 18 points ahead of third-placed LOSC Lille Métropole with five games to play. Nevertheless, Lyon were often under pressure at the Stade de l'Aube and the home side were unfortunate not to take the lead in the first half when Benjamin Nivet was twice denied by the excellent goalkeeping of Grégory Coupet. The French international, who saved three Andriy Shevchenko efforts on Wednesday, was again on top form, stretching to turn Nivet's free-kick on to the post after 34 minutes.

The champions improved after the break, however, and scored their winner 13 minutes from time when Tiago, who is suspended for the second leg, headed Juninho Pernambucano's corner past Ronan Le Crom. Houllier said: "I'm satisfied with the result but, on the whole, it was not a good game ahead of the trip to Milan. I feel as though we are creating chances but are not clinical enough to finish teams off." With Sylvain Monsoreau and Jérémy Berthod fit again, Houllier has a full squad available for the second leg and will be pleased to call upon the playmaking skills of Juninho following suspension. Claudio Caçapa, Cris, Eric Abidal, François Clerc and Hatem Ben Arfa were all rested while Florent Malouda made a substitute appearance in Troyes.