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Leonardo wants balanced performance

Source: Agencies | February 16, 2010, Tuesday | Online Edition

AC Milan coach Leonardo will set out to strike the right balance between attack and defense as his side takes on Manchester United in the Champions League today.

Milan has won plaudits this season for its attacking play, but much of the team's success has been built on the defensive partnership of Alessandro Nesta and Thiago Silva.

Nesta returned to action in Milan's 3-2 win over Udinese on Friday night after a month out with a hamstring strain, but there are concerns over Silva, who limped off with a groin problem.

"We have 180 minutes to decide this tie," Leonardo said. "One of our objectives is to not concede a goal, but Manchester United is a team that always attacks. We have to get the balance right between not conceding a goal and attacking."

The two sides last met at the San Siro in 2007. Milan won 3-0 in the semifinal second leg en route to a victory over Liverpool in the final.

"The two teams know each other well," Leonardo said. "Not only because of the recent matches between us, but because we are continually studying each other. I think I know Manchester United."

"Ferguson's team is coming back from a tricky period," he said. "There are players that are slowly coming back from injury but it is a well-organized side."

Milan's win on Friday ended a four-match run without a victory. Manchester United by contrast is on a run of eight league games unbeaten.

Much of that run is down to Wayne Rooney's form. The England striker is the leading scorer in the Premier League with 21 goals and he has helped fill the gap left by Cristiano Ronaldo's summer sale to Real Madrid.

"His form these past few months has taken him to the best part of his career so far," Ferguson said. "The phrase world class is used too often, but I think we're getting to the stage where he can be considered among the best in the world."

David Beckham is likely to play Manchester United for the first time since leaving for Real Madrid in 2003. On his return to Milan in January he regularly started on the right of an attacking three, but recently he has not been a starter.

At United he was one of a group of players that came through the youth system and went on to help the club win the 1999 Champions League along with six Premier League titles and two FA Cups.

"I think David has got great experience," Ferguson said. "He has 100 and something caps for England, has played for Real Madrid, AC Milan and Manchester United. He's like a lot of players at Milan; (Andrea) Pirlo, (Massimo) Ambrosini and (Filippo) Inzaghi. His experience is his strength."

Having begun the season slowly, United is beginning to build momentum toward the season's end. In the Premier League United is just one point behind Chelsea and on Feb.28 meets Aston Villa in the League Cup final.

But despite no Italian team progressing to the quarterfinals last year, Ferguson is acutely aware of the threat that Milan provides.

"They're an experienced bunch, many of them have won the Champions League twice," Ferguson said. "Clarence Seedorf has won it four times with three clubs and you can't buy experience like that."

For Milan Klaas Jan Huntelaar is likely to start between Alexandre Pato and Ronaldinho in an attacking trident after Marco Borriello was ruled out with a back injury.

Pato returned from a thigh injury to play for the first time in two months in Friday's match and scored his eighth goal of the season in front of Ferguson.

"We are a good team, with a lot of excellent players," Pato said. "We know that we have to do everything possible to win this match and follow the coach's plan. We are aiming to win this game."

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