Milan out to repair Italian football's image

ROME, Feb 19 (Reuters) AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti believes his side's Champions League first knockout round match against Celtic in Glasgow tomorrow could be a chance to restore the tarnished image of Italian football.

The Italian game, still smarting from last year's Serie A match-fixing scandal, suffered another massive blow to its public image earlier this month when a policeman was killed in rioting at a match between Catania and Palermo.

A tough anti-hooliganism plan approved by the government has forced many top-flight clubs to play behind closed doors while their stadiums are brought into line with security regulations.

''I believe that the Champions League can be the trampoline to relaunch the image of Italian football abroad by showing the strength of our teams,'' Ancelotti was quoted as saying on La Gazzetta dello Sport's Web site on Monday.

''From the World Cup onwards the image of Italian football abroad has continued to decline. We touched a new low point with what happened in Catania.'' ''Today, we play in stadiums that are empty or half-empty and when we turn on our televisions to watch matches in foreign leagues we see full stadiums, enthusiasm, and a different kind of sporting culture,'' he said.

Milan's Serie A rivals Inter Milan and AS Roma are also involved in Champions League last 16 first-leg fixtures this week.

On Wednesday, Inter host Valencia at the San Siro, while Roma take on Olympique Lyon at Rome's Olympic Stadium (kickoffs 1945 GMT).

''I'll be supporting Inter and Roma as well because at the moment Italian football needs good results,'' Ancelotti said.

Milan travel to Celtic Park having won five of their last six Serie A games despite a series of injuries to key players.

Striker Filippo Inzaghi was left out of the squad after failing to recover from a muscle strain, while the team's leading scorer this season, Alberto Gilardino, and midfielder Clarence Seedorf are struggling to shake off minor injuries.

''Their presence is important to us. We have a day and a half to know whether we can recover them,'' said Ancelotti, who anticipated a tough game in Scotland.

''On paper, Celtic look an easier opponent than some of the others, but they remain a dangerous team, especially at home, where they try to impose their rhythm on the match. We will have to pay a lot of attention to defence''.

REUTERS SAM PM1929