Brazilian Ronaldo has been included in the AC Milan squad for the first time this season for Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Shakhtar Donetsk.
Ronaldo back in Milan squad for Shakhtar trip; must-win match for Reds
MILAN: Brazilian Ronaldo has been included in the AC Milan squad for the first time this season for Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Shakhtar Donetsk.
The former Real Madrid striker missed the start of the season because of a niggling leg problem.
The 31-year-old, cup-tied when Milan claimed the Champions League last term, is finally fit for a place in the squad but his chances of starting look remote after his lengthy layoff.
However, his return to fitness is still a much-needed boost for Milan, who have endured a woeful start to the campaign.
One of their main problems has been the main striker, Alberto Gilardino or Filippo Inzaghi, becoming isolated from a deep midfield with only Kaka offering a bridge.
The option of playing Ronaldo up front alongside the in-form Gilardino could tempt Carlo Ancelotti if Milan need a goal in the second half in Ukraine.
The European champions have not won at home in the league this season with their 2-1 win over Benfica in their opening Group D game and a 4-1 victory over Shakhtar two weeks ago their only successes at San Siro.
In between they lost 2-1 at Celtic in a game which will be remembered for goalkeeper Dida feigning injury after being touched by a fan on the pitch.
Milan and Shakhtar lead Group D with six points from three games and a victory for either side could be a big step towards knockout stage qualification, especially if Celtic and Benfica only draw in Glasgow.
Liverpool clinging on
Many Liverpool fans approached this season saying the Premier League should be the team’s top priority but a group-stage exit from the Champions League was probably not the pay-off they had in mind.
That, however, is the prospect facing the five-times European champions as they take on Besiktas in a must-win match on Tuesday knowing that even if they win their remaining three Group A games they could still fail to get through.
The 2005 champions and last season’s runners-up have just one point from three games, having drawn in Porto, lost at home to Marseille and gone down 2-1 in Istanbul two weeks ago.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is well aware of the danger but is refusing to look beyond Anfield on Tuesday.
“We can talk, talk, talk but I cannot change our current situation unless I prepare the team properly to win the first game and then try to go on from there,” he told reporters.
“Am I surprised that we are in this situation? No. This is the Champions League and if you make one mistake you can be in trouble.” Benitez will be without injured Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso and must surely turn to Peter Crouch up front.
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