ITALY: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Struggling AC Milan prepare to take on Shakthar Donetsk

Struggling Champions League holders AC Milan eye their Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk as the chance to end a series of disappointing results, both domestic and international. Brazilian playmaker Kaka is a slight doubt for Wednesday's Champions League Group D match because of a knee problem. The absence of Kaka would be a big blow to the Champions League holders, who lost 2-1 at Celtic in their last game. "It will be a balanced match, Shakhtar is not here to play defence", coach Ancelotti told a news conference on Tuesday (October 23). "We are neither resigned nor sad, we only want to go out of this particular moment playing the way we can play", said midfielder Ambrosini. The Italian team will be without suspended goalkeeper Dida but captain Paolo Maldini is back. Brazil's Dida had his two-match ban for feigning injury against Celtic reduced to one on Monday after Milan's appeal was partially upheld. But the keeper will have to make way for Zeljko Kalac in the first match of a double header against the Ukrainians. Veteran defender Maldini made his first start of the season in Sunday's 1-0 home defeat by Empoli following knee surgery. The return of the inspirational 39-year-old is a rare bright spot for Carlo Ancelotti's men, who have made a wretched start to the season and looked devoid of ideas at the weekend against a superior Empoli. The flowing 2-1 win over Benfica in their opening Champions League game last month is Milan's only home win this season and the clash with group leaders Shakhtar looks trickier, especially given the Italian connections. Shakhtar's Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu spent many years in Italy, coaching five different clubs including Inter Milan.

ITN Source | October 24, 2007

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