Milan give Giggs cause for concern

Ryan Giggs singled out Kaká and Clarence Seedorf as AC Milan's greatest threats as Manchester United FC prepare to take on the six-time European champions in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Milan threat
With United expected to take the game to the Italian side in the first leg at Old Trafford on Tuesday, Giggs warned against over-committing in attack against a side at its best on the break. "Milan have the players to counterattack well with Kaká and [Clarence] Seedorf," the 33-year-old winger told uefa.com. "They float around looking to exploit gaps. With the experience they have at the back they can sit back and defend comfortably and hit teams fast on the break. That is their main strength."

Tougher test
United set pulses racing on their last European night at Old Trafford with a breathtaking 7-1 win against AS Roma in the quarter-finals. The result has raised hopes Sir Alex Ferguson's side could win a third European Champion Clubs' Cup, but Giggs expects a much tighter game against Milan. Rather than Roma, Giggs believes United's last semi-final against Italian opposition, Juventus eight years ago, is a better indication of what the tie will be like. "It will be close like '99," he said. "Most semis are close and these are two very good experienced teams who know what's at stake. It will be closely fought."

'Amazing'
United showed all their resilience to overcome Juve in April 1999, recovering from 2-0 down in the Stadio Delle Alpi in the second leg to win 3-2 and go through 4-3 on aggregate. It was a performance, Giggs believes, on a par with the rout of Roma. "The Juve win was like a final, and to come back from 2-0 down against them was an incredible achievement. But to score seven against a top Serie A side was also amazing. They were as good as each other."

'Mad celebrations'
United went on to defeat FC Bayern München in a thrilling final - though Giggs concedes, "the '99 memories are sketchy. It was a bad game until the last two minutes. All I really remember is the two late goals and the mad celebrations afterwards. It was quite a night. I wish I could remember more." That thrilling 2-1 victory at the Camp Nou completed the treble for United who are in a position to repeat the feat this term.

'Best shot'
Already through to the FA Cup final and top of the Premiership, Giggs has the chance to make a few more memories before the end of the season. "With cup games there is an element of luck involved so for us to get the treble we're going to need everything to go in our favour. You need fortune with injuries and things like that but we will give it our best shot."

Ronaldo praise
United will welcome back Paul Scholes after suspension on Tuesday, who was also banned for that 1999 final and is a player Giggs believes is "getting better and better". Not that United are short of potential match-winners. Giggs himself, captain in the absence of Gary Neville, was sensational against Roma, playing a part in four goals and Wayne Rooney was again on the scoresheet. Cristiano Ronaldo, though, is picked out for special praise. "Ronni is flying this season," Giggs said. "He's probably the best in the world right now. At his age and as a winger he is nothing short of brilliant."

Ryan Giggs was talking in the uefa.com chatroom. To read the chat in full, click here.