STUART DARROCH
Dmytro Chygrynskiy believes Shakhtar Donetsk can beat AC Milan tonight, by playing to win.
The defender will have to be at his best in the San Siro as Milan aim to get their Champions League bid back on track.
Celtic stunned Milan at Parkhead by winning 2-1 to leave the Italians in third place in Group D, while the Ukrainian side are hoping to stretch their lead at the top of the table with a win tonight.
Chygrynskiy says he will not follow Gordon Strachan's tactics to defeat the Italians, however. He said: "We realise Milan will try to win back their fans' affection.
"I saw the match between Celtic and Milan and the Scottish side won thanks to their determination. But they are not an example for Shakhtar to follow.
"We shall be trying to achieve the best possible result in every match.
"At the moment we are the leaders in our group. We are ready to face Milan. We have studied our opponents quite thoroughly and we are to have a couple of other tactical sessions. Shakhtar will be playing to win the game."
Chygrynskiy's team-mate, Razvan Rat, insists Shakhtar are not taking qualification for granted despite their 100% record.
The defender said: "This match against Milan is very important. We have gained six points so far, but it doesn't mean we have secured a place in the next stage. We will be looking to achieve at draw at the very least."
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has insisted his side must win tonight's encounter. The European champions sit third in Group D and have been performing dreadfully in Serie A, picking up just eight points in 10 games.
Galliani is confident his side won't slip up, however. He said: "I hope the Ukrainians won't come to the San Siro to defend. But I am not worried. I'm concentrated on each match as it comes, whether it's Empoli, Shakhtar or Manchester United.
"After losing the way we did in Glasgow, it's clear we have to try and win. It should be easier to win at home than in Ukraine."
He also dismissed talk of a crisis at the club. He pointed out: "This is the team, remember, with six players in the running for the Golden Ball."
AC Milan playmaker Kaka is a slight doubt for tonight's game because of a knee problem.
The 25-year-old was rested from Sunday's 1-0 defeat by Empoli after returning from Brazil's 5-0 win over Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier last Wednesday.
Carlo Ancelotti, the Milan coach, said yesterday: "We still have a day; we will see if he can recover or not."
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