A resurgent AC Milan could climb into the fourth Champions League qualifying spot in Italy’s Serie A on Wednesday with a win at home to Livorno. The Rossoneri have won six of seven games in Serie A since the beginning of the year, and are now fifth in the table with a game in hand over fourth place Fiorentina. However, Milan will once again be without injured Brazilian duo Kaka and Pato, while Filippo Inzaghi faces a late fitness test. If the Italian is not fit to play, then Coach Carlo Ancelotti said he would give the start to 18-year-old striker Alberto Paloschi, who scored a brilliant winner in his debut against Siena on Sunday. The European champion will also be boosted by the news that Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has returned from injury.
The status of striker Ronaldo is less certain. Reuters said the 31-year-old Brazilian, who has missed most of the season through injury, “cut a sorry figure” in 45 minutes of action against Siena. “On Sunday, he was not in the best form to play,” Ancelotti said. “If I had had other possibilities I would not have sent him onto the field.” Ronaldo’s contract is up at the end of the season, but so far, Milan has yet to offer him an extension, as he’s been fit for only a handful of games. Even so, Ancelotti asserted: “If Ronaldo finds his best condition, his contract will be renewed.”