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Saturday, May 07, 2005 

Scudetto at stake as rivals meet



Four days after booking their tickets for the Istanbul final, AC Milan face another crucial test in their attempt to win a Serie A and UEFA Champions League double - taking on joint league leaders Juventus FC at home on Sunday.

Cup success
The Rossoneri defeated PSV Eindhoven on away goals on Wednesday to join Liverpool FC in the Champions League final. It is sure to be a great morale boost ahead of the title showdown at the San Siro.

Play-off possibility
In recent years Milan and Juventus have dominated the Italian scene, winning eleven of the last 13 Serie A championships - the Rossoneri six, the Bianconeri five - but never before has the race between them been so tight. Should they remain level on points, the Scudetto would be decided by a 'spareggio', or play-off, for the first time since 1964.

Back on home ground
The game is special for Fabio Capello and Carlo Ancelotti, who have each coached both two teams during their careers. Capello claimed four league titles and the Champions League with the Rossoneri; Ancelotti was twice a Serie A runner-up with Juventus in 2000 and 2001.

Captain recovers
Milan might be more tired than Juventus after their midweek exertions, but Ancelotti can at least draw on his full squad. Paolo Maldini is ready to play after recovering from the head injury that forced him off against PSV at half-time. "I feel much better now and I think I'll be able to play against Juventus," said the captain. "It's one of those games nobody wants to miss."

Trezeguet back
Meanwhile, Capello has more selection problems as Zlatan Ibrahimovic is serving a suspension, while Jonathan Zebina has not yet overcome his thigh injury. However, David Trezeguet's 20-minute cameo against Bologna FC last week means the Frenchman is likely to start alongside Alessandro Del Piero in attack.

Source: uefa.com

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