Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti is quietly confident ahead of tomorrow’s Juventus test and insists he would willingly welcome Andriy Shevchenko back.
Ancelotti knows that there is immense pressure on his side to deliver three points against old rivals Juventus in Turin as their chances of taking part in next term’s Champions League are fading.
A defeat would more or less cement Juve’s place in Europe’s showpiece event and could leave Milan with an unassailable gap to fourth place.
“Juve are having a great period, but we need to pick up points,” Ancelotti stated.
“The Bianconeri play with a style that is very aggressive, compact and organised and they have the experience of their great champions
“It will surely be a great battle. We are a growing side and we rediscovered ourselves against Cagliari and can build on that.
“I have seen the right spirit and the players are showing me good signs.”
Ancelotti was keen to state his respect for tomorrow’s opponents and their captain Alessandro Del Piero.
“Ranieri has done an excellent job and has managed to quickly build a side up after Serie B,” he said.
“Del Piero has found his old brilliance and at the moment deserves a place at Euro 2008.”
Ancelotti’s big selection doubt is Brazilian starlet Alexandre Pato and his adductor problem could see Alberto Gilardino and Pippo Inzaghi start up front.
“He trained until last Thursday and then a problem with his adductor stopped him,” Ancelotti said. “Also, Marek Jankulovski is still feeling pain in his knee and there’s swelling.
There has been incessant speculation in recent days that Milan could bring back former hero Shevchenko and Ancelotti insists that he won’t veto a move.
“He has forgotten Italian and that’s why he wants to return,” he joked. “Seriously though, I got the impression that he wanted to come back to Milan.
“I didn’t express surprise at his return - I merely said that Shevchenko has similar characteristics to Pato.
I” never even said that they can’t play together and it is wrong to say that I don’t want Sheva here. He could return and he could be very useful.”
There was also time for a very brief discussion of the possible addition of Barcelona star Ronaldinho.
“It’s an intriguing situation,” Ancelotti explained. “He would be a new kind of player for us, somewhere between a trequartista and a striker.
“But for now the players are ready to go out on the pitch tomorrow for a crucial battle and I don’t want to dwell on the market.
“I only want to say that all the choices the club makes will be in absolute harmony with the Coach’s thoughts.”
