Ronaldinho due back to help AC Milan's recovery (News Feature)

By Alberto Cagliano Nov 2, 2010, 11:02 GMT

Milan - AC Milan are in bad need of rebuilding their self-confidence after defeats suffered in the second half of October against Real Madrid and Juventus.

After botching the second big match of the season at the weekend, new coach Massimiliano Allegri conceded that Milan 'deserved to lose in Madrid,' where Real dominated two weeks ago to secure a 2-0 win.

Saturday's 2-1 defeat at home against Juve was probably worse than the beating in Spain and left Allegri to comment that 'we could have done better in the offensive phase and paid dearly for our mistakes.'

Further mistakes Wednesday at the Giuseppe Meazza against Jose Mourinho's side could be dramatic for the Devils as they lie level on five points with Ajax in Group G, while the Spaniards lead on a perfect nine-point tally.

Good news for Allegri come from the recovery of Thiago Silva and Gianluca Zambrotta in defence, Massimo Ambrosini in midfield and of Ronaldinho upfront.

The Brazilian watched the defeat against Juve from the stands and was quoted as voicing criticism at the ineffectiveness of the Devils' attack, where Zlatan Ibrahimovic was often isolated from Brazilians Pato and Robinho.

A prompt recantation, headlined, 'It is not true,' came Tuesday on the club's website, where the 2005 Golden Ball winner added that he recovered from injury and looks forward to play against Real.

In Spain, where Dinho played most of the game, 'the two early goals we conceded made our life difficult,' he said. 'Now we must only think about what our coach asks from us to notch the three points.'

The 30-year-old forward said he was happy about the chance that new Brazil coach Mano Menezes has offered him for upcoming games of the Selecao and defended compatriot Pato from recent criticism from fans.

'(Pato) is young, he is intelligent, I have great confidence in him,' he said. 'He will score again very soon and make the fans happy.'

The club's website labelled the match with Real 'Europe's derby,' recalling their seven continental titles and the Spaniards' record of nine. It is also a return to Milan for Mourinho who was Champions League winner with Inter last season.

Inter fans, who have not forgotten Mourinho's two seasons at the helm of the Nerazzurri and the title treble secured in May, are rallying to support Real.

Beating Real would be Milan's best way to gear up for a city derby set for mid-November.

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