'We'll be ready'

Ancelotti's hopes of a domestic and European double ended at the weekend when Juventus claimed the Italian league title after Milan failed to win any of their last three Serie A games.

But the Milan coach said on Tuesday his team have had enough time to get over that disappointment and focus on the clash with four times European champions Liverpool.

"I have no doubts about my team, the only doubt is about the result. There are no doubts in my mind about the performance we will give," Ancelotti told a news conference at the Ataturk Olympic stadium.

"We started thinking about this match after the Lecce game, so we have had 10 days focused on being ready.

"We have reached a goal which we have had throughout the season - to be here at this final in Istanbul. The team are in good shape and good form, and we hope to give a good display on Wednesday.

"In fact we didn't lose the `scudetto', we finished second. There is no prize given for that but I think it is a reward for what my team has produced through a long and very good season," said the coach of the 2003 European champions.

Captain Paolo Maldini, preparing for his seventh European Cup final, dismissed talk of a slump after Milan's defeats by PSV Eindhoven and Juventus, and draws with Lecce and Palermo.

"Our form is not as bad as some people seem to think. It's really not that terrible," he said. The 2-2 draw at Lecce on May 15 ended Milan's hopes of defending the Italian title.

Ancelotti compared the state of his squad favourably with the team that won the final on penalties against Juventus two years ago.

"We come here with conviction about our ability in contrast to the final at Manchester where there were still some questions to be answered," he said.

"Winning is fundamental of course but the manner in which you win is very important. In fact we are a team that have to play well in order to win.

"We are not interested in a calculated display - we want to play to our ability," he said.

Maldini suggested the Italians would be happy enough with victory without a great display, as in Manchester two years ago.

"We have to try and play well. That is always our approach but also winning when you are not playing brilliantly is a sign of strength," he said.

Ancelotti gave no clues as to his formation other than a comment that Argentine Hernan Crespo would play "but it's not sure if he will play from the start or not".

Italy international Filippo Inzaghi, recently returned from an injury lay-off, is the other option as partner for European Footballer of the Year Andriy Shevchenko in attack.