March 04, 2008	Tuesday	Safar 25, 1429

MILAN, March 3: AC Milan are counting on the return of some of their most important players for the crunch Champions League second round, second leg clash against Arsenal at the San Siro on Tuesday.

Centre-back Alessandro Nesta and key midfielders Andrea Pirlo and Kaka all sat out Saturday’s dismal 1-1 home draw against Lazio but the three are expected to be back on the team-sheet against the Premier League leaders.

AC Milan’s biggest worry is over veteran Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf, who has a muscle problem in his leg that he picked up against Lazio and is doubtful for the Arsenal game.

They are also counting on their big match temperament and experience to get through following the 0-0 draw in the first leg in London two weeks ago.

“On Tuesday we face Arsenal and we’ll get some important players back who’ve had a chance to rest and we know that in these matches Milan rarely fail,” said full-back Massimo Oddo.

“It will surely be a great match in front of our fans who like always will cheer us on from the first minute.”

Milan have been far from their best in the league this season, languishing down in fifth place and four points off fourth and the final Champions League qualification place for next season.

But for the six-time European champions and reigning title-holders, Europe’s premier competition always brings out the best in them.

“Milan are in good shape, we’ve just had a few injuries but we’re convinced that come Tuesday we will play a great match because we always prepare differently for Champions League matches, especially mentally,” said Georgia centre-back Kakha Kaladze. “We’ve been playing twice a week for two months and of course that’s not easy.”

Arsenal also have injury problems but could welcome back Dutch forward Robin van Persie to the squad, although their coach Arsene Wenger insists he definitely won’t start.

More important for Wenger is getting Togo forward Emmanuel Adebayor to find his Champions League scoring boots.

In 14 previous matches in European competition for the Londoners he has failed to find the net and his horror miss from three yards out with an open goal to aim at in stoppage time in the first leg cost Arsenal the chance of defending a victory in Milan.

Wenger is also wary about the way Milan up their level in the big matches, as they did a year ago against Manchester United in the semi-finals. Having lost the first leg in Manchester 3-2 Milan stunned the Red Devils winning 3-0 at the San Siro.

“What is important for us in Milan is to be tight defensively because they tore Manchester United apart in the first 20 minutes of their second leg last season at the San Siro,” Wenger said.—AFP