PORTUGAL: SOCCER/FOOTBALL - European Cup Holders AC Milan seek point against Benfica to reach last 16 of Champions League

Holders AC Milan need just a point at Benfica on Wednesday (November 28) to wrap up qualification for the Champions League last 16 with a game to spare. The Serie A side would have 10 points with a draw and could not be caught by Celtic or Shakhtar Donetsk even if the pair draw in Wednesday's other Group D game in Glasgow. A draw in both matches and final day wins for Celtic at Milan and Shakhtar at home to Benfica would leave all three teams on 10 points. Places would then be determined by a mini-league between the three, taking away results against Benfica. Celtic would top the mini-league on seven points, Milan would go through second with six points and Shakhtar would be eliminated with four. A defeat or draw would eliminate bottom side Benfica, who have three points, while a win would give them a chance. Benfica came from behind to beat Academica 3-1 away on Saturday with two goals in the last four minutes sealing their fifth successive win in the Portuguese Premier League. The Lisbon side, who boast former Milan playmaker Rui Costa, are second on 25 points from 11 matches with no defeats. Midfielder Nuno Assis suffered a leg injury during the match and is likely to be replaced by Uruguay's Cristian Rodriguez. Armando Petit, who returned on Saturday after two months out, should replace Augustin Binya, who was suspended for six European matches by UEFA for a tackle on Celtic's Scott Brown in their last Champions League match on Nov. "If we enter the game with aggressiveness and a winning mentality we can win. Above all, we have to be very focussed during the whole match because A. C. Milan is one of those teams that wins the game in only one minute," said Benfica's Spanish coach Jose Antonio Camacho. Former Real Madrid striker Ronaldo, cup-tied for Milan's Champions League triumph last term, could be in line for his first European appearance for the Rossoneri after making his comeback from six months out in Sunday's 2-1 win over Cagliari. The Brazilian, who had struggled to shrug off a leg injury, hit the post and won a penalty in a decent display in Sardinia as Milan improved on their patchy domestic form. Coach Carlo Ancelotti may decide two starts in a week for Ronaldo is too much with Alberto Gilardino in good form up front. Left back Marek Jankulovski is still out after knee surgery, Emerson and Filippo Inzaghi are also missing while Massimo Ambrosini is suspended. "I think it is important for both teams. Clearly the Milan wants to win to clinch the top (of the group) and to advance for the knockout as first. It will certainly be a match much disputed," Ancelotti told news conference. The final round of Group D games have been brought forward to next week because of Milan's involvement in the Club World Cup which starts on Dec. 7 in Tokyo. Probable teams: Benfica: 12-Quim; 2-Luis Felipe, 4-Luisao, 23-David Luiz, 5-Leo; 8-Konstantinos Katsouranis, 6-Armando Petit, 10-Rui Costa, 26-Cristian Rodriguez; 20-Angel Di Maria, 21-Nuno Gomes AC Milan: 1-Dida; 44-Massimo Oddo, 13-Alessandro Nesta, 3-Paolo Maldini, 27-Serginho; 8-Gennaro Gattuso, 21-Andrea Pirlo, 32-Cristian Brocchi, 10-Clarence Seedorf; 22-Kaka, 11-Alberto Gilardino.

ITN Source | November 28, 2007

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