SEEDORF ADDS TO MILAN WOES
Midfielder Clarence Seedorf is a major doubt for AC
Milan's midweek Champions League clash with Arsenal after limping
out of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Lazio.
A hamstring injury saw Seedorf substituted after just 37 minutes
of the Serie A clash and Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti admits the
Dutchman is unlikely to be fit for the last-16 second leg against
the Gunners at the San Siro on Tuesday.
He said: "My intention is to see who is well and pick my team
based on who is available.
"We will have to see how things go in the next few days, but I
think it is unlikely that Seedorf will recover."
Milan have already lost Brazilian playmaker Kaka to injury,
while Emerson had to be replaced at half-time on Saturday as
Ancelotti's injury problems deepened.
The Rossoneri's draw with Lazio means they remain outside the
Champions League places in Serie A, but goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac
insists their poor league form does not increase the pressure ahead
of Tuesday's game.
He told PA Sport: "It is a fundamental game, but it was
fundamental even before tonight.
"It is the Champions League and we are the defending champions
and want to try and defend our title."
The Australian believes Milan are suffering for their Champions
League success last season, which meant they had to take part in
the World Club Cup in December, adding more games to an already
packed fixture list.
He said: "We are paying the price for the trophies we won last
season.
"It is the Italian league and we have had a schedule from hell
and it is making it very difficult for us to go forward in the
competitions.
"We have been playing night games in January and February with
temperatures at minus two degrees and the consequences are there to
see with injuries everywhere.
"Even the Champions League has been very hard for us this
season."
Despite his injury problems, Ancelotti feels it is up to Milan
to take the game to Arsenal on Tuesday, having drawn 0-0 at the
Emirates Stadium in the first leg.
"I think if we had played the first leg at home and it had ended
0-0, we would go there with a bit more fear, so maybe we have less
fear for this game than them," he said.
Defender Kakha Kaladze added: "We have respect for them
[Arsenal] because they are a great team, but they are coming to the
San Siro to play against a great team too.
"We will be looking to do well and are only thinking of the
Champions League now."
