'Faith is there' for Anderlecht against Milan

RSC Anderlecht are a point behind second-placed AC Milan in UEFA Champions League Group C and know a defeat would end their chances. However, victory would put them in a qualifying position and John van den Brom insists "the faith is there". Massimiliano Allegri, hoping to maintain the Rossoneri's good record in Belgium, knows his side must cut out individual errors if they are to fare better than in recent domestic fixtures.

Anderlecht
John van den Brom, coach
In the Champions League you always have to be at your best when you want to achieve something. Against Málaga [a 3-0 home loss] we did not reach that level and were punished for that. However, in recent weeks we have reached our top level, with good team performances and organisation.

However, the same goes for Milan, who have also become much better since the away match [a 0-0 draw on matchday one]. Looking at the standings both teams need a win. I hope for a nice open match, but that does not really fit with Milan and we will also have to play a realistic style.

I want to stick with the type of game we were successful with in recent weeks. I think that except for the Málaga game, we really have had chances to score. We are now doing well, have created a lot of chances and also scored. Against Milan we will not get as many chances as in the domestic league, but we are at home, and we will have to convert the opportunities we get.

Weekend result
Sunday: Anderlecht 1-0 KV Kortrijk (Mbokani 90+1)
Proto; Gillet, Kouyaté, Nuytinck, Safari; Biglia, Kljestan; Bruno (Yakovenko 76), Praet (De Sutter 77), Jovanović; Mbokani.

• Lucas Biglia, making his 200th Eerste Klasse appearance, missed a penalty three minutes before half-time – Anderlecht's sixth spot-kick failure in all competitions this term.

Team news
Olivier Deschacht is fit again following a leg muscle problem, although Ronald Vargas (knee) is still out. Forwards Gohi Bi Cyriac and Matías Suárez (both knee) are not in the UEFA Champions League squad because of long-term injuries.

Milan
Massimiliano Allegri, coach
It is an important game and we must pick up four points in the final two matches to guarantee qualification. Anderlecht are playing very well so it will be a tough match. As a team we didn't commit too many errors against Napoli [on Saturday] but there were individual mistakes. We will already know what the Zenit score is but I think the group will be decided on the final matchday.

I would like not to have to always come from behind in games. Every now and again it would also be nice to take the lead in a match. [Kevin-Prince] Boateng will not be given a specific role. Robinho played one excellent ball on Saturday and one bad ball, but it could be the turn of Pato – I still have to decide.

I knew from the start that this group was very tough, and now the last two matches will be decisive. We are now much better mentally and physically. I would have preferred to have nine points by now, but the reality is we only have five and that is what we deserve.

Weekend result
Saturday: SSC Napoli 2-2 Milan (Inler 4, Insigne 30; El Shaarawy 44 82)
Abbiati; De Sciglio, Mexès, Acerbi, Constant; Montolivo (Pazzini 76), De Jong, Nocerino; Boateng (Robinho 80), Bojan (Niang 85), El Shaarawy.

• The Rossoneri came from two goals down to earn a point for the second successive Serie A away game.

Team news
Captain Massimo Ambrosini is missing with a hamstring problem, while Ignazio Abate, Daniele Bonera and Luca Antonini are all out with thigh injuries.

Match fact
• Milan did not concede on any of their last five visits to Belgium – three of them 1-0 victories. Overall, their record there is W3 D5 L1.