Group D
Kick-off: 19:45 (BST)
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has instructed his players to go for the win tonight against Milan in a game that the Scottish champions require just a point to qualify for the knockout stages for the second successive season.
Celtic are second in Group D, meaning a draw with the Rossoneri would be enough to prolong Champions League adventure into the new year.
“I really don’t know how to play for a draw,” said Strachan. “You’ve got to play for a win and if you get a draw you accept it. Our attitude’s always the same: go and play football; go and enjoy it; try and win.”
Celtic must overcome a series of injury concerns that include John Kennedy (knee), Lee Naylor (calf), Shunsuke Nakamura (knee), Jean-Joël Doumbé (heel) and Mark Wilson (knee).
They also have yet to win in seven visits to Italy, or record a a clean sheet away from home in any competition for more than 14 months.
“There’s no scientific formula for football,” explained Strachan. “If I knew what the formula [for the defensive record] was, I would change it. It’s always hard playing in Europe at the best of times and now we’re facing the European champions. It’s another challenge but I’ve got no worries about this group eventually getting it right away from home in big games.”
Celtic held Milan to successive 0-0 draws in last season’s competition, before falling to Kaká’s extra-time winner at San Siro.
“It’s made it easy for us to understand what it takes to come here,” continued Strachan. “The San Siro’s not a scary place, it’s the players that make it scary, but now my players feel they enjoy playing against the very best.”
Milan drew 0-0 with Juventus, continuing their season-long run without a home victory in Serie A, where they lie a disappointing eighth place behind leaders Inter.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti is hoping for a morale-boosting win – which would ensure that Milan top the group.
“I’m going to field the best team available,” said Ancelotti, who has Marek Jankulovski (knee), Ronaldo (calf) and Emerson (fibula) out injured. “We’re not thinking about Tokyo. We aim to win the group and I’m not planning to change too much.”
