MILAN - Seven-time winner AC Milan is in the unfamiliar position of being the overwhelming underdog when it hosts Atletico Madrid in the first leg of its Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday. nike roshe run hyperfuse zwart . Atleticos best finish in the competition is runner-up 40 years ago but it is top of the Spanish league along with Barcelona and Real Madrid, and qualified from its group with an almost perfect record — slipping in a 1-1 draw at Zenit St. Petersburg. Milan is going through another transitional year and is under the guidance of inexperienced coach Clarence Seedorf. The Italian team is further hampered by injuries and suspensions. Despite its difficulties, Milan is the only Italian team to progress to the knockout stages. Can it pull off a shock? Here are five things to know about the match: KAKA CONCERN: Talismanic AC Milan playmaker Kaka expects to be fully fit in time. Kaka recovered from the flu to play in Fridays 1-0 victory over Bologna but had to be replaced 10 minutes from time after injuring his right ankle. The Brazilian returned to training on Monday. "After Fridays win, were confident and ready for Wednesday," said Kaka, who scored against Celtic in the group stage. AC Milan is without Sulley Muntari and captain Riccardo Montolivo, who are both suspended, and Stephan El Shaarawy, Valter Birsa, Robinho and Bryan Cristante, who are all injured. Cristian Zapata is also doubtful with injury. New signing Keisuke Honda is cup tied, having played in the Champions League this season for CSKA Moscow. MILAN MISERY: AC Milan looks to the Champions League as a welcome distraction from its domestic woes. Milan lies ninth in the Serie A after the exact same number of wins, draws and defeats — eight. Its mediocre form got coach Massimiliano Allegri sacked at the beginning of the year, and former player Clarence Seedorf replaced him. It is the 37-year-olds first managerial experience. However, Seedorf knows the tournament better than most. The Dutchman lifted the trophy the last time Milan won the competition, in 2007, and is the only player to have won the league with three different clubs — Ajax, Real Madrid and Milan twice. "They are favourites in every area, but the Champions League is something different," Seedorf said. "I am confident but it will be difficult. We need to have a very great game. "The 2007 Champions League represents the characteristics of this tournament. You can give so much more if you are all together. That year we werent at the highest level, but we changed in the Champions League. We have to do so again now." SAN SIRO STAGEFRIGHT? Atletico will be relieved goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will play after a recent dip while the Belgium goalie was sidelined by injury. Courtois has been instrumental in helping Atletico share the lead in the Spanish league and for finishing the league group stage undefeated. The first leg away will not daunt Atletico, their goalkeeper insists. "We wont be intimidated by (the San Siro). Weve already managed good results at difficult stadiums such as Sevilla, or Bilbao," Courtois said. "We also went into the group stage with little experience and succeeded. If we maintain the same intensity as we have in the league all season we shouldnt have any problems." Courtois expects his teammates to keep Mario Balotelli from breaking out: "Im not sure how well defend against him, Im sure the coach knows, however." ATLETICOS TWO DIEGOS: While David Villa has returned from injury to be available, Atletico will be leaning on a pair of Brazilian Diegos at San Siro. Striker Diego Costa and midfielder Diego Ribas are expected to be key players. Diego Costa recovered his scoring touch in a 3-0 win over Valladolid on Saturday, while Diego Ribas is showing the form of two seasons ago when he helped Atletico win the Europa League. "I like important games like this. Atletico is a big club and we should be playing these types of games," Diego Costa said. "They certainly motivate you, so going to play at the San Siro will be memorable. We can get a result there." SIMEONES MILAN LINK: Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone knows San Siro well. He spent two seasons there as a player with Inter Milan from 1997-99. In that period Inter drew three times against Milan in the league, winning once. It also suffered a hefty 5-0 defeat in the Italian Cup. Also, Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati spent the 2007-08 season on loan at Atletico. Nike Air Max 90 Essential Sale . Hes willing to leave Miami, if thats what it will take to win more championships. And what happens next will likely be up to not just the Heat, but Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh as well. Nike Air Max 90 Vt Heren . -- Jermaine Marshall scored eight of his 29 points in the second overtime and Jordan Bachynski blocked T.The Ottawa Senators will try to avoid a home-and-home sweep at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres Thursday night at the Canadian Tire Centre. Defenceman Cody Ceci has been called up by the Senators as Jared Cowen is out due to a suspension and Marc Methot is sidelined with the flu. Craig Anderson gets the start in goal for the Senators. The Senators handed the Sabres just their second win in their last 10 games, falling 2-1 in the shootout in Buffalo on Tuesday. Zemgus Girgensons scored in regulation before netting the winner in the 10-round tiebreaker for the Sabres. Ottawa fell to 2-3-2 in its last seven games overall despite 35 saves from Robin Lehner. The Sens have gone to a shootout in their last three games, losing two of those. Milan Michalek scored in regulation for Ottawa, which plays three straight and nine of its next 11 at home. "I thought we came on the road and we got a point, which is good," Senators coach Paul MacLean said. "Were still gaining some traction in our game and a lot of things went good for us." Cowen will miss the back end of this home-and-home set after getting hit with a two-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of Girgensons on Tuesday. The check came late in the third period after Girgensons received a long pass just over the blue line in the Ottawa zone. Cowen was not penalized on the play. Nike Air Max 90 Dames Outlet. Lehner fell to 0-1-1 with a 2.45 GAA in two career games versus the Sabres. Buffalo meanwhile, improved their strong record in the shootout with the win. "We havent had a chance to win a lot of games," goaltender Ryan Miller said. "I want to win some games. So, if this is going to be my opportunity to win a game for any number of games, I got to take it and give these guys some confidence." Miller and the Sabres are 4-0 in shootouts this season and the netminder passed Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers for the most shootout wins in NHL history with 46. The Sabres matched a season high with 36 shots on net Tuesday and improved to 7-4 all-time in shootouts versus the Senators. They beat Ottawa for only the third time in the past 10 meetings overall and have lost three of the last four as the visitor in this series. Miller gets the start again tonight and is 7-4-2 with a 2.03 goals against average versus the Senators since the start of the 2010-11 season. Forward Cody Hodgson is out with a lower body injury and Ville Leino is back in after being a healthy scratch on Tuesday. Ottawas Craig Anderson is 8-3-1 with a 2.41 GAA in his career when facing Buffalo. That includes a 35-save shutout in a 1-0 victory at Buffalo on Oct. 4, Andersons second career shutout versus the Sabres. cheap nfl jerseyscheap jerseys ' ' '
