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SHAKHTAR AT SAN SIRO TONIGHT

MILAN - The Ukrainian players of Shakhtar Donetsk will train at 19.00 in San Siro tonight, immediately following the press conference by Mircea Lucescu programmed for half an hour earlier, in the same stadium.

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THE DECISIONS OF THE SPORTING JUDGE

MILAN - Six players and the coach of Juventus, Claudio Ranieri, have been suspended by the sporting judge after the 8th Matchday of Serie A. Three matchdays have been given to Sampdoria player Hugo Armando Campagnaro, on the basis of TV evidence. Two matchdays of suspension for Nedved (Juventus) and Natali (Torino). One matchday for Firmani and Zauri (Lazio) and to Lucarelli (Genoa).

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WE HAVE TO PLAY BETTER

"At home we become too unbalanced if we don't score quickly, we don't win a lot of balls and our ball possession is not smooth, not linear."

That's the analysis of Carlo Ancelotti ahead of Milan-Shakhtar

MILANELLO - Here's Carlo Ancelotti on the eve of Milan-Shakhtar, from the Conference Room at Milanello: "Compared to past seasons, Shakhtar have changed a lot, they've put quality players in midfield, they played a varied kind of football, very technical, and based on ball possession. They come to play their match as they should. It will be a balanced matched and Lucescu, with his knowledge of Italian football and Milan, will make it tough for us. But it won't be our usual home match. Shakhtar are a complete team, they don't have weak spots, they will give it their all, but we have to give more. Milan have their identity and don't lose it in moments of difficulty. I won't make any revolution. At home we become too unbalanced if we don't go ahead, and this is a fault. We have to win more balls and risk less."

Ancelotti was asked about the absence in the Milan team of a player like Biefhoff: "We are on the eve of an important match and we'll face it with out two strikers, who are going through a moment that is in line with that of the team, but we have faith in them. In the last few years we've lacked a stronger header of the ball, but we still frequently obtained important results. A good header of the ball is not an indispensable element to win football matches."

Tomorrow Kalac will play: "Zeljko - the Milan coach points out - has a different personality compared to Dida. He's more extroverted and jokes more. In general Kalac is a hard worker, he knows his role, now he has the opportunity to be used and won't have problems handling the situation. Last year we started poorly against Brescia, but in the following games, with Dida out injured, he did very well. For the rest Kaladze will keep playing in his central defence role, while on the left we will alternate Favalli and Serginho. Tomorrow Favalli will play from the start. Kaká? At the moment he is a question mark. From when he returned he's had a problem to his knee. We still have one day, let's see if he is able to recover or not. Is our lack of speed a problem? In Rome against Lazio we showed we can be fast and we don't have any physical problems. At home our speed is related to a ball possession that needs to be smoother and more linear. Quicker, in a word."

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MILAN-SHAKHTAR: CALLED UP PLAYERS

MILANELLO - Here are the 20 called up Rossoneri players for the match against Shakhtar:
GOALKEEPERS: Fiori, Kalac, Offredi (n.30);
DEFENDERS: Bonera, Cafu, Favalli, Kaladze, Nesta, Oddo, Serginho;
MIDFIELDERS: Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Emerson, Gourcuff, Kakà, Pirlo, Seedorf;
STRIKERS: Gilardino, Inzaghi.

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CHARGED AND DETERMINED

Mircea Lucescu wants to see a Shakhtar team "worthy of applause" and explains he will not change the nature of the team, Lucarelli dreams of a goal at San Siro and says: 'We will need concentration and sacrifice.' - SHAKHTAR'S CONFERENCE –

MILAN - Before the training session at San Siro, also Shakhtar held their press conference at San Siro. Present to answer the journalists' questions were coach Mircea Lucescu and striker Cristiano Lucarelli. Here are their declarations:

MIRCEA LUCESCU:

'It's hard to say we are convinced we can win tomorrow. Milan rarely lose two consecutive games at San Siro. Certainly they will have prepared the game well, we have a good technical level and good organization. We can't change our playing style, also because we have three Brazilian midfielders.'

'Milan know we are a respectable team, I won't change the team's characteristics. We can't play like Empoli. I would have preferred to face Milan after they had beaten Lazio, now they will be even more determined after last Sunday.'

'Until now we've done well, but we must show it hasn't been a coincidence. We want to be applauded on our exit from the pitch. They will try to score quickly, also to have more space. They know how to take advantage of other teams' weaknesses, but let's hope that with the passage of time we will create problems to Milan.'

'Pirlo? Andrea made his debut with me at 16 years of age with Brescia. He's comparable to Jadson in my team. He's not easy to mark because he knows how to create space for himself.'

CRISTIANO LUCARELLI

'After 15 years in Italian football, it's easy to know certain Milan players. And many of them are my team mates in the national team. I think we will see a different Milan in the Champions League compared to the league. Fortunately I've scored many goals against Milan, let's hope I can continue this tradition. I will be happy to see people and fans of Livorno. I know there will be 300-400 people there and I will be happy to see them again.'

'Voices of a return to Livorno or a passage to Milan? Before knocking on my door, you need to knock on the coach's. In football it's hard to give certainties, because they day after you say something, the contrary happens. Sometimes things are said before a match to create controversy, but I have to right experience to handle these things properly. Before a match like this, it's best not to speak about Livorno and Milan but only about the Champions League.'

'Getting a result in Milan is always tough, even more so in the Champions League, so we will need to be concentrated because every small mistake will be punished.'

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ROMA BEAT SPORTING LISBON

MILAN - Roma, Milan's next opponents in the league, have beaten Sporting Lisbon 2-1 on the third Champions League matchday, and are now second in Group F behind Manchester United. Juan brought the Giallorossi in front, as he headed in a corner by Pizarro. Liedson found an equaliser, but in the 70th minute a great goal by Vucinic allowed Luciano Spalletti's team to win the match.

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3RD MATCHDAY CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: TONIGHT'S RESULTS

MILAN - Here they are: Rangers-Barcelona 0-0; Stuttgart-Lyon 0-2; Roma-Sporting Lisbon 2-1; Dinamo Kiev-Manchester 2-4; Cska Mosca-Inter 1-2; Psv Eindhoven-Fenerbahce 0-0; Arsenal-Slavia Praga 7-0; Sevilla-Steaua Bucarest 2-1.

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3RD MATCHDAY CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: TODAY'S MATCHES

MILAN - Here they are: Besiktas-Liverpool; Marseille-Porto; Chelsea-Schalke 04; Rosenborg-Valencia; Werder Bremen-Lazio; Real Madrid-Olimpiakos; Milan-Shakhtar; Benfica-Celtic.

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MILAN-ROMA: THE FIRST DATA

MILAN - So far there have been 4,416 single tickets sold (revenue of 139,187.00 Euros) for Sunday afternoon's game at San Siro between Milan and Roma. This number is added to the 42,106 subscribers.

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45'+1' Generic Event Cantalejo whistles for the end of the first half, Milan lead Shakhtar 2-0 thanks to Gilardino's brace
45' Yellow card Massimo Ambrosini For a foul on Srna
45' Action J Jadson Hits a free kick from the edge of the area, Ambrosini heads it away
45' Generic Event The referee assigns one minute of stoppage time
44' Action Zeljko Kalac Another save by Kalac on a hit by Lucarelli from the right
42' Action Massimo Oddo Tries a hard shot on a pass by Seedorf, it goes out
41' Action I Ilsinho Powerful shot from the right that goes on the outside of the net
39' Action Zeljko Kalac Another great save by the Milan goalkeeper, who punched away a great left footed effort by Brandao
37' Action Zeljko Kalac Great save by the Milan keeper who puts the ball out for a corner after a shot by Lewandowski
35' Action J Jadson Tries a long-range shot with his right foot, it goes over the bar
34' Off side Alberto Gilardino He's caught offside on a pass by Seedorf
33' Action Andrea Pirlo Tries to find Oddo with a long ball, but it's too long
31' Action Alessandro Nesta Good intervention by the Milan defender, who clears a dangerous ball out for a throw in
30' Action Massimo Oddo Tries to pass the ball to a team mate on the right wing, the Ukrainian defence clears it
29' Action Andrea Pirlo Hits a free kick from midfield aimed at Seedorf, but the Ukrainians intercept the ball
27' Action Kaká The Brazilian tries a shot after the Ukrainian defence failed to clear the ball properly, but the ball is blocked by Pyatov
26' Action Kaká The Brazilian sends in a cross aimed at Oddo, but the defender is anticipated by the Shakhtar defence
25' Generic Event The rossoneri are maintaining the lead well
20' Yellow card B Brandão
20' Yellow card Gennaro Ivan Gattuso
18' Action Cristiano Lucarelli Hits a free kick from the edge of the area, but it's easily grabbbed by Kalac
17' Substitution Olexandr Kucher
Tomas Hübschman
14' Goal Alberto Gilardino Second goal for Alberto who heads the ball past Pyatov on a cross by Seedorf from the left
13' Action Kaká Great run by Kaká, but his final shot goes narrowly wide of the goal
11' Corner kick Andrea Pirlo Corner kick, Ambrosini tries a shot, but the Ukrainian defence clear it
10' Action Kaká Great counterattack by Milan as Seedorf finds Kaká on the left, the Brazilian gets the ball past Pyatov, but fails to find the net
8' Action Giuseppe Favalli Long ball for Seedorf, but Clarence can't control it
8' Action Zeljko Kalac Great save by the Milan keeper on a header by Lucarelli
6' Goal Alberto Gilardino Header on a corner kick by Pirlo, Milan in front
6' Corner kick Andrea Pirlo
5' Action Răzvan Rat Tries a long-distance shot, Kalac deflects it, but the referee doesn't give the corner
2' Action Massimo Ambrosini Tries to penetrate between the Shakhtar defenders, but he's stopped
1' Generic Event Referee Cantalejo has just whistled for the start of the match
Prematch The teams have just entered the pitch.

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90'+2' Generic Event It's over! Milan beat Shakhtar 4-1.
90' Generic Event The referee gives two minutes of injury time
85' Action Clarence Seedorf Clarence enters the area with the ball at his feet and tries to find Kaká, the ball goes on the outside of the net
83' Substitution Massimo Ambrosini
Emerson
83' Corner kick Andrea Pirlo Sends the ball in, ries to find Emerson, but the Ukrainian defence clears
80' Action Cristiano Lucarelli Nice right footed volley, no problems for Kalac who puts it out for a corner
78' Off side Massimo Oddo
78' Action F Fernandinho Tries a right footed shot, the ball goes out
75' Substitution B Brandão
Olexandr Gladkiy
75' Substitution Alberto Gilardino
Serginho
74' Yellow card F Fernandinho
71' Action Zeljko Kalac Great save on a long-distance shot by Lewandowski
69' Goal Clarence Seedorf On a corner kick move, Pyatov punches it away, Clarence volleys it in from distance
68' Action Clarence Seedorf Sends the ball in for Kaká, the Brazilian doesn't get to it
62' Goal Clarence Seedorf On a corner kick move, his powerful shot goes in!
61' Substitution Giuseppe Favalli
Daniele Bonera
60' Action Kaká Ancora una volta il brasiliano prova a rendersi pericoloso, si accentra, ma Pyatov respinge con un piede
59' Action Zeljko Kalac Grande respinta di Kalac sul tiro di Fernandinho
55' Action Kaká Great move by the Brazilian who serves Gattuso on the left, but the ball is blocked by the Shakhtar defence
54' Action Zeljko Kalac The keeper comes out of his line wel to block a cross from the right by Shakhtar
51' Goal Cristiano Lucarelli After a great save by Kalac he slots the ball in
49' Action Kaká Another splendid move by the Brazilian who frees himself up, penetrates inside the area and finds Gattuso, but a deflection by a Ukrainian defender prevented the ball from reaching the Italian
48' Action Clarence Seedorf Good counterattack by Milan as Kaká finds Seedorf, who tries to make a run but he's stopped by Hubschman
46' Generic Event The referee has whistled for the start of the second half

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IT'S FINISHED: MILAN BEAT SHAKHTAR 4-1

MILAN - The match has just finished at San Siro: Milan beat Shakhtar Donetsk 4-1. In the second half Shakhtar reduced the deficit with a goal in the 51st minute by Lucarelli, after Gilardino's brace had put the Rossoneri 2-0 up before the break (in the 6th and 14th minute). Then Milan scored two more goals through Clarence Seedorf in the 62nd minute and the 69th minute.

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GREAT REACTION

In the dressing room, after the match, there is joy and satisfaction. But everyone knows it will be important to do well in the league too, for that reason Adriano Galliani and Carlo Ancelotti suggest it's better to keep their feet on the ground.

- ADRIANO GALLIANI -
Just after the match Adriano Galliani stopped to talk about the match with a large smile on his face. He began by talking about the difference between playing in Italy and in European competitions: "Playing in the Champions League is different. All teams play and let play. But everyone is free to interpret football like they want. It's certainly a pleasure to watch games like this one." He then went on to talk about Kaká's performance: "This is a fact: it's almost impossible to imagine Kaká being able to make runs like the one he made tonight in an Italian league match."
There was great support from the Milan fans tonight, as Galliani acknowledges: "Tonight the crowd reminded me of the one in Athens. It means it's still fresh in their memories, as it is in the club's."
He then continued to talk about the match: "We could have had 10 goals, but we are happy like this, also because on Sunday our mood could change again. I am happy for Kalac, because he did well, but let's not forget that with Dida we reached 3 finals in 5 years."

- CARLO ANCELOTTI -
The coach is overjoyed, after the victory and the performance of the team: "I knew we would have a strong reaction, because I know this group well. Now we have to repeat this performance, even though it won't be easy. There are many components that determine the outcome of a match. Scoring quickly, for example, is very important. Then there's the psychological aspect, the physical and the athletic one. Not all matches can be played with the same mentality. That's human. Now it will be important to find the right key to start winning again in the league. And if other teams close down we will have to be stronger. It's inevitable that in Europe we have an advantage, because foreign teams play more attacking football." On the singular players, particularly Kaká, Gilardino, and Dida-Kalac, he said: "Tonight Kaká did well. Saturday he was given a medal for his 200 matches with Milan and I stole it from him as a joke. As soon as he arrived at Milan I did not waste any time letting him play. He deserved it and still does. Gila, meanwhile, always took a while before unblocking himself. This is always the case, but then his performances also improve. I'm also happy about Kalac's display, because he silenced a few critics tonight. But I still maintain faith in Dida."

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MILANELLO: ROSSONERI AT WORK IN THE MORNING

MILANELLO - The day after the win in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk (4-1), the Rossoneri were back on the pitch at the sports centre of Milanello ahead of their home game against Roma on Sunday afternoon at San Siro. The training will start at 11am.

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MILAN-ROMA: SALES UPDATE

MILANO - Alle 24.00 del 24 ottobre sono stati venduti 6.477 biglietti singoli (incasso 198.122,00 euro) per la gara di domenica pomeriggio a San Siro fra Milan e Roma. La quota si aggiunge ai 42.106 abbonamenti.