Gattuso fit, but Maldini still doubtful

ITALY World Cup-winning midfielder Gennaro Gattuso should be available for AC Milan’s Champions League semi-final return match with Man Utd on Wednesday — but veteran defender Paolo Maldini is a possible absentee.

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed the team news after the 1-0 win at Torino on Saturday — a game in which neither Maldini nor Gattuso featured.

“The only player in doubt today is Maldini but we still have four days to get him fit,” said Ancelotti.

“Gattuso will definitely be available.”

Both men picked up injuries in the first leg in Manchester.

“They (United) are doing well in the championship and have extended their lead over Chelsea so they will have less pressure than they would have had with a bad result,” said Ancelotti.

“But a Champions League semi-final is something special. It will be a game where we have to play at our best without losing concentration but with the right level of intensity and serenity.

“If we play like we did for an hour at Old Trafford we can do it,” he said.

Midfielder Andrea Pirlo is confident Milan side are peaking at the semi-final return match with United.

“Now, we are looking ahead to Wednesday with confidence. We are doing well.”

Pirlo said: “We have reached top condition at just the right moment. We will do well against Manchester United. “We expended a lot (of energy) today, but there is time to recover.”