AC Milan's coach Carlo Ancelotti
© AFP/File Denis Charlet

ROME (AFP) - Speaking at Milan's Malpensa airport ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash away to Anderlecht, the 47-year-old said: "We have to play with more pace. That's all it is down to, the slowness of our game.

"There's no point in looking to blame individuals, the whole team has to do it together."

Milan have drawn their last three Serie A matches and their last Group H match in the Champions League away to French side Lille.

Ancelotti, whose side still top Group H with four points, is warning his players to raise the tempo against Anderlecht, whom they play in back-to-back games.

"These two games with Anderlecht are very important because winning them both would see us through to the next stage. That would allow us to concentrate a bit more on Serie A," he said.

Milan's hopes of lifting the Italian league title have been seriously hampered by an eight-point penalty for match-fixing.

However, their punishment could be reduced if their final appeal to the Italian Olympic Committee's Court of Arbitration is successful.

Ancelotti is expected to play with a 4-3-1-2 formation in Belgium with Nelso Dida protected by a back four from right to left of Daniele Bonera, Alessandro Nesta, Kakha Kaladze and Marek Jankulovski.

Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf are likely to make up the midfield with Brazil international Kaka playing in a more advanced position.

Filippo Inzaghi and Ricardo Oliveira will probably team up in attack. Exciting young French midfielder Yoann Gourcuff has been ruled out with a broken rib, while Brazilian wingback also misses the match due to a back injury.

©AFP