Ancelotti: Rio Absence Is Good

Carlo Ancelotti reckons his side's chances are boosted by the injury of Rio Ferdinand. Wow, I would never have thought that.

The Milan boss is full of confidence ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final after seeing his team playing themselves into form and United stumbling.

'I don't know what we will do in Manchester, but I know Milan feel really good,' Ancelotti told the Italian media.

'There are no players injured and the strength of a rich group has emerged.

'Manchester have big qualities and they will try to take advantage from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney's speed.

'We will try to have ball possession.

'If Ferdinand won't recover, for us, it will be a big advantage.'

As he admitted, the speed of Rooney and Ronaldo could cause huge problems for Milan as the Italians' back four have an average age of 32. But Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez apparently has some ideas about how to stop them - and he shared these ideas with Sir Alex.

'You need one very defensive player, who is strong and hard,' Benitez told the News of the World.

'Serginho wouldn't be right and Marek Jankulovski isn't ideal either while Kakha Kaladze lacks speed.

'I spoke about this with Ferguson and we are of the same opinion - if Maldini has recovered his speed, he is still the best solution.'

OK, Rafa, I admit you might be right. But don't you have anything better to do than giving advice to Ancelotti? Some meaningless game is coming up for you, too - a Champions League semi-final against Chelsea unless I'm much mistaken...

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