Carlo Ancelotti prepares to spoil old friend Roberto Donadoni’s San Paolo debut by welcoming back Kaka.
This is not the first time the two former Milan teammates have crossed paths, as on January 23 2005 Donadoni’s Livorno won 1-0.
“I know the atmosphere, the crowds and the stadium. Roberto is motivated but, in all honesty, I wouldn’t mind upsetting him tomorrow,” grinned the Rossoneri Coach.
“I expect a reaction from Napoli, as that often happens when a new tactician takes over. The Azzurri want to climb back up the standings and Roberto has experience, which is why he was hired.”
This isn’t the only memory associated with Sunday night’s match, as last season a 3-1 defeat at the San Paolo effectively ended his Champions League ambitions.
“I have not forgotten that game, as that day we destroyed all the hard work we had done to get back into fourth place.
“Tomorrow will be different. The situation has changed and we have a solid advantage behind us, but we must still be very focused with the right physical and psychological approach for this type of game.”
Ronaldinho, Clarence Seedorf and Kaka are back from injury, but the latter in particular is not 100 per cent fit.
“Ricardo is doing fairly well and is available. I don’t think he will start, but he will go to Brazil for the Selecao [to face Ecuador and Peru],” explained Ancelotti.
Absentees include Christian Abbiati, Davide Bonera, Alessandro Nesta, Kakha Kaladze, Gennaro Gattuso, Emerson and Marco Borriello.
“Ronaldinho has worked hard and is in good shape, but so is [Pippo] Inzaghi. As for [Nelson] Dida, I have the utmost faith in him. He is an excellent goalkeeper and very reliable, all he’s missing is a little more consistency. I’m not losing sleep over the change.”
Milan are already looking to the future amid rumours Ancelotti threatened to quit if at least two top signings weren’t completed over the summer.
“[Vice-President Adriano] Galliani spoke of a defender and in that we are in agreement. It won’t be difficult to find a talented and young one like Thiago Silva or Simon Kjaer, who I like very much. We’ll have to discuss what we’re after in terms of a striker, though.”
Palermo sensation Kjaer has already been linked with a move to San Siro, while Thiago Silva is on their books and unable to play until next season due to his non-EU status.
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