Ancelotti: Ronaldo May Not Start

Carlo Ancelotti will go to Donetsk expecting his AC Milan side to take all three points, feeling his preparations sufficient to end Milan's recent run of difficult form. However, he revealed that Ronaldo may not start the contest...

They're mid-table at home, but top of Group D in Europe. Now, Carlo Ancelotti's AC Milan must pick up all three points in Donetsk to hasten their passage to the knockout stages.

"It's a vital match for us and we've prepared accordingly," he told UEFA.com.

Milan have incredibly failed to win at home all season in Serie A although, paradoxically, they've twice pulled off victories at the San Siro in the Champions League, losing out at Celtic in their sole away game.

However, Ancelotti has refused to put too much emphasis on the location, preferring instead to focus on the teams.

"Shakhtar are very dangerous here but their fans' support will not be decisive – players usually win matches, not fans," he said.

"It's important for us to win but anything is possible."

But the biggest news from the Milanese camp was the return of Ronaldo, who has been out of action since May.

"Ronaldo has been training very well and is returning to his best form," said the veteran boss.

"He will probably play a part although I'm not sure how much time he'll spend on the pitch."

Ronaldo scored seven times in 14 Serie A appearances last season.

THE PHENOMENON RETURNS

On Tuesday in Donetsk, Ronaldo could come on the pitch after the injury to make his seasonal debut against Shakhtar on the 4th matchday of the Champions League.

MILAN - Ronie is ready, and he will be present on the plane which tomorrow will fly Milan to Donetsk, because this morning his name appeared on the list of 22 Rossoneri players called up by Carlo Ancelotti for the Champions League match against Shakhtar.

'El Fenomeno' never left the heart of the Rossoneri fans who don't wait for anything but to see Ronaldo come on the pitch with his number 99 shirt to transmit enthusiasm to all his team mates.

Ronie's last game with Milan was Reggina-Milan, on 27 May 2007, the last matchday of the previous championship. Then on 31 July came the day of his injury, at San Siro, on the occasion of the presentation of Milan's new shirts for the 2007/2008 season.

The contribution given by the Brazilian since joining Milan in the January 2007 transfer window has been important.
During Milan-Livorno, on 11 February 2007 (2-1), the day of his debut, Ronaldo played the first 27 minutes in front of the San Siro public, but it was the Siena-Milan match of 17 February 2007 which saw the Phenomenon take to the pitch from the first minute, scoring his first brace (16', 81') with the Rossoneri shirt.
He's made fourteen appearences in total in the 2006/2007 season, scored seven goals, and gave many important assists to his team mates.

Last season, Milan had Ronaldo playing in fourteen matches, and won 10, drew 2, lost 2 of them for a total of 32 points. Milan and its fans need the 'Phenomenon' and are eagerly awaiting his season debut.

Ronaldo savours date with Donetsk

Milan striking star Ronaldo can't wait to make tomorrow’s trip to Shakhtar Donetsk after his long injury lay-off.

The Brazilian ace is yet to make an appearance this term after a long-running saga revolving around a thigh injury.

However, El Fenomeno is finally back in training and has been selected in the squad for the Champions League test in the Ukraine.

“I’m so happy to be back in the squad and to be a player again,” the ex-Real Madrid man told the Press.

“I have always reacted well to pressure and I know what I am capable of and what I have to offer Milan.

“Of course it hasn’t been the best start to the season, but this is my beginning. I have been doing well in training and I think I’m ready to go.

“Now I just want to get on the pitch and score…”

The European champions destroyed Donetsk 4-1 a fortnight ago and know that a similar result would make them strong favourites to win Group D.

Ronaldo To Return Against Shakhtar

Ronaldo is ready to make his long-awaited return from injury after being named in Milan's squad for the Champions League trip to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.

El Fenomeno has yet to play this season due to a knee injury riddle that had showed no signs of ending.

The 31-year-old has had his return to fitness repeatedly delayed but he finally resumed first team training with the rest of his team-mates earlier this week.

Ronaldo had declared in the days leading up to Milan's 0-0 draw with Torino yesterday that he was now fit to play, a fact he confirmed in an interview just before the game.

“I was hoping to play tonight,” the Brazilian star admitted. “I am fit now and it is up to the Coach to decide when to use me.”

Ronaldo has still not played in the Champions League for Milan, as he was ineligible to play in last season's competition following his move from Real Madrid in January.

Other Rossoneri team news for the trip to Ukraine is that goalkeeper Nelson Dida returns from suspension and Massimo Oddo is fit enough again after injury. However Emerson and Marek Jankulovski are still sidelined.

Milan squad: Dida, Kalac, Fiori; Bonera, Cafu, Favalli, Kaladze, Maldini, Nesta, Oddo, Serginho, Simic; Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Gourcuff, Pirlo, Seedorf; Gilardino, Inzaghi, Ronaldo, Kakà.

Ancelotti snaps at Gilardino

Carlo Ancelotti has criticised Alberto Gilardino’s San Siro performance and thought Milan deserved a penalty.

“We had some good opportunities in the first half, but did not do well enough to convert them,” he said of their 0-0 with Torino.

“When you can’t break the deadlock, especially at the moment, you later get into trouble. Gilardino was not as precise and sharp as he was on Wednesday. It is not a positive time for him on home turf.”

Gila netted a brace in the 5-0 victory away to Sampdoria midweek, but the Rossoneri are still without a Serie A win in front of their own fans.

“These are games where it is not easy to find space and that is what this team needs, especially when it comes to Kaka,” continued the Coach.

There have been calls to shelve the Christmas tree formation, but Ancelotti assures he is taking the correct approach.

“I think that Massimo Ambrosini is an important figure, as he guarantees push from the midfield. Playing with two upfront could be helpful to create some more movement off the ball, so when Ronaldo returns from injury we can try that.”

There was a controversial incident as Ambrosini appeared to be shoulder-charged off the ball inside the penalty area.

“During the match I did not see that, but looking at the video footage it does seem like a spot-kick. That’s a shame.”