Litmanen return lifts Ajax

By Theo Ruizenaar

AFC Ajax coach Ronald Koeman has added Jari Litmanen to his squad for the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg against AC Milan, delighted to welcome back his experience.

Positive response
The 32-year-old has not played since 15 December but Koeman had no hesitation in naming him in his squad for the match at the Amsterdam ArenA, especially in light of Andy van der Meyde's suspension. Following Litmanen's encouraging reaction to his achilles injury, Koeman said: "Jari answered positively when I asked him if he would be fit enough for 20 or 25 minutes. For me that was enough."

Good record
Another player to raise Koeman's spirits was Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swedish striker was rested for Saturday's 4-1 victory against RBC Roosendal and is fit after a thigh injury. History is also on Koeman's side. The Dutch double winners have only lost once in five meetings between the two when, in 1969, Milan were 4-1 winners in Madrid to lift the European Champion Clubs' Cup. In 1994/95, Ajax won their three Champions League encounters, including the 1-0 victory in the final, when Ajax's team included Litmanen and current Milan midfield man Clarence Seedorf.

High praise
Despite their past record, Koeman said Milan would be favourites on Tuesday. "I believe that this Milan can be compared with Valencia [CF]," he said. "A team that knows to play football and that is what they are willing to do. They won't play as defensively as Internazionale [FC] did in the two matches we had with them."

Inzaghi doubt
Koeman, who will probably start with Abubakari Yakubu instead of Nigel de Jong to add some steel in midfield, said it would make no difference if Milan played Andriy Shevchenko or Rivaldo up front. "Both are top quality strikers, so whoever plays we know exactly what to expect," Koeman said. One Milan forward who might not make it is Filippo Inzaghi, who had a fever on Monday.

Suspension risk
Captain Cristian Chivu, Bogdan Lobont, Steven Pienaar, Rafael van der Vaart along with De Jong and Ibrahimovic will all need to avoid a card if they want to figure at the San Siro next week. For Milan, Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Serginho are in the same situation.

Concentration needed
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said his side, who lost 1-0 in Serie A against Parma AC on Saturday, would be "playing to win", especially as an away goal could be vital. However, he was only too aware of the danger of pushing too many men forward. "They have a very young, hungry group of players who want to achieve," he said. "They want to attack and we have to be aware of that."

Wise heads
If Koeman is looking to Litmanen as a calming influence, then Seedorf will hope to bring all his experience to bear. The Dutch international said: "We are playing a quarter-final and we won't underestimate Ajax."