Lucarelli looking to add to Milan woe

AC Milan are like a red rag to a bull for Cristiano Lucarelli as he has made a habit of running amok against the Rossoneri. He scored eight goals against the European champions during his Serie A career and will try to increase that total when FC Shakhtar Donetsk visit San Siro in UEFA Champions League Group D.

Scoring tradition
The Italy striker said on the eve of the game at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza: "Yes, it's true. I have scored several goals against Milan in my career and I hope to continue this tradition tomorrow. I don't know why, but I have often managed to score against Milan with most of the teams I have played for."

Milan problems
It could be a good time for the Ukrainian side to face Milan, with the Rossoneri ten points behind Serie A leaders FC Internazionale Milano after Sunday's 1-0 home defeat by Empoli FC. Carlo Ancelotti's men were also beaten by Celtic FC in their last UEFA Champions League outing and sit three points adrift of Shakhtar who have maximum points from two games.

'Different team'
However, Lucarelli is sure Shakhtar will have a difficult night. "I know Milan really well after playing for 15 years in Italy and I'm worried about the match because they are a completely different team when they play in the UEFA Champions League compared to Serie A," said the 32-year-old forward, who joined Shakhtar from hometown club AS Livorno Calcio this summer.

'Sacrifice ourselves'
"Getting a result in Milan is always very difficult, even more so when you face them in the UEFA Champions League," he added. "We will have to be ready to sacrifice ourselves for the team and be extremely focused for 90 minutes because Milan can make you pay for every single mistake, especially now they are in a difficult period."

Lucescu preparation
The former Torino FC player, however, says he has not spoken about Milan with his team-mates. "I did not have to say anything because our coach, Mircea Lucescu, knows Italian football extremely well and he has prepared for this game in the best possible way. He told us everything about Milan so my advice was absolutely not necessary."

Livorno support
Shakhtar will also have unusual support at San Siro as 400 fans will arrive from Livorno just to back their local hero, who left after scoring 94 goals in 146 league appearances. "It will be great, especially because I haven't had the chance to meet them since I left to join Shakhtar," Lucarelli continued. "I'm extremely happy and I would like to make them happy too, maybe with a goal. Why not?"