Beckham keen to shine among Milan's stars

Dubai might be packed with luxury hotels but during AC Milan's stay in the Emirate the words "five stars" were mainly used in reference to the possibility of Carlo Ancelotti fielding a midfield of Ronaldinho, Kaká, Clarence Seedorf, Andrea Pirlo and new signing David Beckham when the Rossoneri restart their Serie A campaign at AS Roma on Sunday.

Debut chance
With Gennaro Gattuso out for the season after knee surgery, the Rossoneri coach is expected to prefer a more physical player like Mathieu Flamini or Massimo Ambrosini in midfield ahead of the English international. Beckham, however, who has joined on loan from LA Galaxy for two months, could yet make his competitive debut for the Rossoneri at the Stadio Olimpico.

Early impressions
The 33-year-old played 45 minutes in the friendly game against Hamburger SV this week and proved to be in good physical condition. "He played well and did what he was asked to do," Ancelotti said. "It was hard to expect him to have a great game when he had only been training with us for eight days. However I'm satisfied with his performance."

'Extraordinary champions'
"I'm very happy with my first match," Beckham added. "I feel a bit tired now, but that's normal after so many days of hard training. I felt good in the middle of the field. My team-mates are extraordinary champions and playing with them is easy because they put you in the ideal conditions to do well. I am ready for my first match in Serie A. It will be very exciting for me, regardless of whether I play or not."

Scintillating display
Milan finished last year in great fashion, defeating Udinese Calcio 5-1 with Kaká and Pato both scoring twice in a wonderful display of attacking football. However the Rossoneri are still third, nine points adrift of leaders FC Internazionale Milano, and cannot afford to drop more points against a Roma side who lie eleventh in Serie A, ten points behind Milan, after finishing 2008 with a 3-2 defeat at Calcio Catania.

'Qualities and creativity'
However Roma coach Luciano Spalletti, who will be without captain Francesco Totti due to a thigh injury, said Milan's all-star midfield is not causing him sleepless nights. "That's not a problem," he said. "I'll field my usual eleven stars and then we will see who wins. As regards Beckham, he is still a great champion evaluating his qualities and creativity. We'll have to see how he is doing physically."