Ancelotti says Milan have recovered form
Tuesday, 24 May 2005 12:12Coach Carlo Ancelotti insists AC Milan have recovered from a dip in form and are ready to take the game to Liverpool in tomorrow's Champions League final.
Ancelotti's hopes of a domestic and European double ended at the weekend when Juventus claimed the Italian league title after Milan failed to win any of their last three Serie A games.
But the Milan coach said his team have had enough time to get over that disappointment and focus on the clash with four times European champions Liverpool.
"I have no doubts about my team, the only doubt is about the result. There are no doubts in my mind about the performance we will give," Ancelotti told a news conference at the Ataturk Olympic stadium.
"We started thinking about this match after the Lecce game, so we have had 10 days focused on being ready. We have reached a goal which we have had throughout the season - to be here at this final in Istanbul. The team are in good shape and good form, and we hope to give a good display on Wednesday."
Captain Paolo Maldini, preparing for his seventh European Cup final, dismissed talk of a slump after Milan's defeats by PSV Eindhoven and Juventus, and draws with Lecce and Palermo.
"Our form is not as bad as some people seem to think. It's really not that terrible," he said. The 2-2 draw at Lecce on May 15 ended Milan's hopes of defending the Italian title.
