Milan on verge of renaissance
Ancelotti, whose side have reached the final largely thanks to a watertight defence, insisted that both sides were packed with creative potential.
But he also made it clear that he would not be pressured into throwing caution to the wind just to keep neutrals and television chiefs happy.
"It's going to be an Italian final played with the characteristics of Italian football," Ancelotti said.
"We are proud of the football we play and we have developed. And I certainly don't think playing in the Italian style is anything to be ashamed of.
"This season, three of the four teams in the Champions League semi-finals were Italian and I think that speaks for itself," he said.
Italian teams have certainly rediscovered the knack of winning key matches after a number of seasons in which their best clubs have been eclipsed by their more adventurous rivals, particularly from Spain.
But, with the exception of Juventus's memorable 3-1 win over Real Madrid in the second leg of their semi-final, the Italians' return to dominance has been marked by a distinct lack of attacking fireworks and Ancelotti did nothing to encourage hopes the final would be any different.
"It will be the team that succeeds in imposing its style on the match that will win," he said.
An injury to veteran defender Alessandro Costacurta could force Ancelotti to reshape his regular backline.
Costacurta, who missed Milan's last Champions League triumph in 1994 as well as Italy's losing appearance in the final of the World Cup the same year, is facing fresh heartbreak after suffering a calf injury in training on Monday.
Clarence Seedorf, the Dutch midfielder who is seeking to become the first player to win the Champions League with three different clubs, acknowledged that Juventus would go into the match with a slight edge.
"You have to say that Juve are the favourites just because of what they have done in the last month. They have won the Italian title and they produced a great performance to beat Real Madrid, the leader in European football, in the semi-final."
"But that does not mean we cannot win. We have to give Juve respect but also show what we can do," he said.
With Juventus the firm favourites, Milan have been able to prepare for the final relatively free from pressure at least in comparison to the hysteria that surrounded the build-up to their semi-final against local rivals Internazionale.
"This last week has been like a stroll in the park compared to the build-up to the semi-final," Ancelotti said.
His opposite number Marcello Lippi has almost certainly made up his mind about how to replace Pavel Nedved, but AC Milan will have to wait until just before kick off to find out.
Midfielder Nedved misses tonight's game through suspension after picking up a third yellow card in the tournament for a foul near the end of the 3-1 semi-final, second leg win over Real Madrid.
The Czech scored in that game against the defending champions and has been the inspiration behind Juve's second successive Italian title win this season.
Asked at a pre-match news conference on about his ideas for replacing Nedved, Lippi said he had tried out a number of options in training last week.
"I have quite clear ideas, we haven't worked on just one option but on several solutions that might be needed during the game," said the Juve coach whose side trained at Manchester United's multi-million pound Carrington training ground yesterday.
"Sir Alex is a very good friend and whenever he has spoken about Juventus in the past it has always been in very positive terms," said Lippi.
"He put Manchester United's training ground at our disposal this morning and I hope what he has said is right and we can win the trophy on his home ground tomorrow."
Despite his contribution to the Juventus cause, Ferguson might be wearing a rueful smile when he takes his seat this evening.
United defeated the Serie A winners twice during the second group phase of the competition, yet fell at the quarter-final stage to Real Madrid, who were then comprehensively beaten by Lippi's side in the next round.
"It's just coincidence," said Lippi as he reflected on the twist of fate.
"When Manchester United played in Madrid they had 18 scoring opportunities and took one, while Real scored every time they had a chance."
Ferguson has also led the call for UEFA's disciplinary procedures to be revamped in the wake of Nedved's suspension from tonight's encounter.
While Nedved's influence will be missed, Juve still have some exceptional talent at their disposal, notably Alessandro del Piero, Edgar Davids, Lilian Thuram and Gigi Buffon, who provide brilliance in every area from attack through to goalkeeper.
"One of the best parts of our season has been the ability to replace the most important players in the team at times," said Lippi.
"I have a squad of fit players to call on and I am confident of finding a solution."
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