CAGLIARI

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" AC Milan go into Saturday's clash with Cagliari looking for a performance that will give Manchester United something to worry about.

Carlo Ancelotti's men travel to Old Trafford on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

But after poor displays against Lazio and Reggina, which netted them six vital if fortuituously garnered points, the defending Serie A champions need to find their swagger once again.

Cagliari are eighth but only on the back of their home form - they have won once on the road all season - giving Milan hope that the visit of the travelling Sardinians can provide a confidence booster.With Juventus holding a slender two-point advantage at the top, Milan's stutters earlier in the year against Bologna and Livorno have not been as costly as they might have been if Juve had not dropped points as well.

The 2003 Champions League winners know that a defeat could prove costly as Juve face a theoretically easier battle on Sicilian soil against Messina. And unbeaten neighbours Internazionale await them in the city derby the following weekend.

``We must win in order to continue to be in the Scudetto race,'' added a determined Shevchenko.

Promoted club Cagliari travel to the San Siro with their form pointing to anything but an away win. Had the Rossoblu managed to show the same form away from the Mediterranean island, they would be fighting for the title and not for a UEFA Cup position.

Daniele Arrigoni's men have only conceded six points of a possible 36 in Cagliari but it has been a different story away from home. The Rossoblu are hoping to welcome back midfielder Nelson Abeijon from injury with Massimo Brambilla injured and Alesandro Budel serving a one-match ban.

Ancelotti is set to rest centre-back Alessandro Nesta and Brazilian midfield schemer Kaka in view of the clash against Manchester United.

Kaka has played every league game so far for the Rossoneri but will probably be replaced by Manuel Rui Costa while Nesta's place should be filled by former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam, although he is not certain to figure on his return to Old Trafford.

Cagliari has steadily moved up the table, but surprisingly, all the good work has been done at home, as they have a paltry away record. A fortnight ago, within the confines of the Stadio Sant’Elia, Cagliari defeated Lecce 3-1. Massimo Gobbi grabbed the lead for Cagliari in the 11th minute, but Mirko Vucinic leveled in the 38th.

However, as they have done most of the season, Cagliari was able to get the win. Mauro Esposito scored in the 74th, and erased all doubt in the 86th. Last weekend’s match also went to form: a trip to Brescia’s Stadio Mario Rigamonti, and another road loss, by a 2-0 score. Davide Zoboli gave Brescia the lead in just the 5th minute, and Andrea Caracciolo finished the match with a goal in second half stoppage time.

Cagliari’s home and away form could not be more of polar opposites. At home, they have won eight, drawn three, and lost just once; but on the road they have been the victors once, drawn three times, and lost eight matches.

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