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Kaka says Milan are on course for Athens
ROME, April 25 (Reuters) - Playmaker Kaka believes AC Milan are on course to reach the Champions League final despite losing 3-2 to Manchester United in the first leg of their semi-final.
The Brazilian international scored twice at Old Trafford to give Milan a 2-1 interval lead but the Premier League leaders fought back with two second-half goals by Wayne Rooney, the second in stoppage time.
'It's a very bitter result that gives us little margin for error but I'm convinced Milan can go through,' Kaka told Wednesday's La Gazzetta dello Sport.
'After the 2-2 draw (in the quarter-final first leg) with Bayern Munich we had to get a great result away from home. Now we have to win but we've got the advantage of playing at home.
'We will have to play like United did against us. We will have to show we've got great personality and enormous energy because we face a real battle.'
Milan defender Massimo Oddo rued his side's failure to convert a couple of chances early in the second half.
'We were stupid. We played a great first half and their second goal was fine but then we missed several opportunities to make it 3-1,' he said.
Milan may be without two important players in the return leg.
A recurrence of an old knee injury forced captain Paolo Maldini to sit out the second half at United while midfielder Gennaro Gattuso limped off in the 53rd minute with a sore foot.
'The knee swelled up and the pain became unbearable. It will be difficult to recover for the return leg,' said Maldini.
'It will be a difficult match for Milan. We didn't deserve to lose at Old Trafford but the English side put in a fantastic performance. They fought right to the limit and showed great self-belief. We will have to follow their example.'
ROME, April 25 (Reuters) - Playmaker Kaka believes AC Milan are on course to reach the Champions League final despite losing 3-2 to Manchester United in the first leg of their semi-final.
The Brazilian international scored twice at Old Trafford to give Milan a 2-1 interval lead but the Premier League leaders fought back with two second-half goals by Wayne Rooney, the second in stoppage time.
'It's a very bitter result that gives us little margin for error but I'm convinced Milan can go through,' Kaka told Wednesday's La Gazzetta dello Sport.
'After the 2-2 draw (in the quarter-final first leg) with Bayern Munich we had to get a great result away from home. Now we have to win but we've got the advantage of playing at home.
'We will have to play like United did against us. We will have to show we've got great personality and enormous energy because we face a real battle.'
Milan defender Massimo Oddo rued his side's failure to convert a couple of chances early in the second half.
'We were stupid. We played a great first half and their second goal was fine but then we missed several opportunities to make it 3-1,' he said.
Milan may be without two important players in the return leg.
A recurrence of an old knee injury forced captain Paolo Maldini to sit out the second half at United while midfielder Gennaro Gattuso limped off in the 53rd minute with a sore foot.
'The knee swelled up and the pain became unbearable. It will be difficult to recover for the return leg,' said Maldini.
'It will be a difficult match for Milan. We didn't deserve to lose at Old Trafford but the English side put in a fantastic performance. They fought right to the limit and showed great self-belief. We will have to follow their example.'
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