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Group D
Kick-off: 19:45 (BST)
Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu has admitted that he would settle for a draw ahead of tonight’s visit of Milan.
With Shakhtar losing 4-1 at San Siro to leave both clubs locked on six points, three above Benfica and Celtic in Group D, Lucescu is determined to take something from this penultimate home game.
“We’re in for a very tough match, but it will be tough for Milan too,” said the Romanian.
“Both teams will play for victory, but if it’s a draw I suppose both sides will be satisfied. We were criticised for not playing defensively in Milan but even at 2-0 down, we tried to show what we’ve got.
“From the outset, we will be much more careful than we were there,” he added. “We will not attempt to replicate Celtic’s approach against the Italians.”
“We never give in. No matter how many players are left – ten, even nine – this team will battle to the last,” Lucescu said.
“The most important thing is for us to avoid conceding goals from free-kicks and corners. I can remember a famous Andrés Palop goal from a corner which stole a victory against Sevilla from us.”
Milan will hope they do not take their domestic form into European competition, as a weekend scoreless draw against Torino left them without a home Serie A victory this term.
“It’s a vital match for us and we’ve prepared accordingly,” said Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti. “Shakhtar are very dangerous here but their fans’ support will not be decisive – players usually win matches, not fans. It’s important for us to win but anything is possible.”
Although left-back Marek Jankulovski is missing, right-back Massimo Oddo is available following a thigh problem and could replace Cafu.
Brazilian striker Ronaldo is also in contention for the first time this season after overcoming a thigh injury of his own.
“Ronaldo has been training very well and is returning to his best form,” said Ancelotti. “He will probably play a part although I’m not sure how much time he’ll spend on the pitch.”
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