Guide to Champions League 2007/08! AC Milan

AC MILAN
Champions League holders
Champions League pedigree: European Champions 1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007

THE LOW DOWN:
Being docked Serie A points in the Calciopoli scandal may have played into Milan's hands when it came to their Champions League campaign last season as boss Carlos Ancelotti could put all the focus on the ultimately successful battle to claim a seventh European crown for the Rossoneri.

The results were spectacular as they triumphed with victory over Manchester United and Liverpool in the final two rounds of last season's Champions League and the pressure is on to combine a Serie A title push with the defence of their European crown.

TECHNICAL AREA:
Once again, Ancelotti proved himself to be a tactical master in last season's Champions League and the way he stopped Manchester United wonder kid Cristiano Ronaldo in the semi-finals was a key to his side's eventual triumph.

A fan of the 4-3-2-1 or a 4-3-1-2 formation, his game plan last season was based around getting Kaka into the game as much as possible. It proved to be a winning formula in the Champions League and even though his defence has had a tag of veteran all over it for a few years now, they remained rock solid under intense pressure against the Premier League giants.

WOW FACTOR:
You need look no further than the mercurial Kaka to provide the magic and flair in this Milan side and Rossoneri worshipers must be relieved that all the talk of a summer move to Spain came to nothing. Allowing their trump card to walk away from the San Siro would have been a suicidal act and this club don't tend to indulge in such radical antics.

The summer speculation linking Ronaldinho with a move to Milan was persistent, yet it came to nothing in the end and coach Ancelotti has professed himself to be satisfied with the squad he is working with for the new season.

THE BIG BUY:
Brazilian midfielder Emerson threatened to retire from football unless he was released from his contract at Real Madrid, so he was clearly passionate about completing the move to Milan. 'I feel reborn after joining the best club in the world,' proclaimed the former Roma and Juventus star as he returned to Italy.

Alexandre Pato also arrives from SC Internacional and if the hype around him is to be believed, this Brazilian will be a sensation when he finds his feet at Milan. Due to red tape, he won't be allowed to play competitive matches for his new club until January, so he could be a great wild card to play in the second phase of the Champions League.

THE TENDER SPOT:
There will come a time when the likes of Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta begin to show their age and the speedy forwards they will come up against this year test their resolve to the full. So far, they have found the answers, but the sands of time catch up on even the greatest players in the end.

Also, it is always felt that keeper Dida is vulnerable when coming to collect crosses. Playing behind the human wall that is the Milan defence covers his flaws, but if the Brazilian stopper is stretched, he may be exposed as a weak link.

HOT GOSSIP:
Veteran Brazilian striker Ronaldo is said to be in the best shape of his career having shed plenty of weight during the summer and if he can rediscover his best form in the months ahead, he could emerge as a trump card for Milan. With Milan President Silvio Berlusconi vowing to reunite 'Roni' with Ronaldinho in 2008, there could be one final glorious chapter to be written for the former 'fat boy'.

Another story to follow this season will be that of skipper Maldini, with the legendary Milan No.3 set to hang up his boots at the end of the season. 'I have reserved a special place for a final Champions League winners medal,' says the veteran full-back and another European crown would be the dream finale to a remarkable career.

IDEAL LINE-UP:
Dida, Maldini, Nesta, Kaladze, Oddo, Gattuso, Emerson, Pirlo, Kaka, Seedorf, Ronaldo

THE VERDICT:
They have been quiet in the transfer market, but stability is often a good policy. With a revitalised Ronaldo giving Milan some much needed extra firepower up front, another tilt at the big prize is in the offing this season.