AC Milan v Inter Milan: Hernan Crespo and Juan Sebastian Veron might have been playing on the same side in tonight's Champions League quarter-finals. Instead, the two Chelsea players will be crossing swords as Milan take on their city rivals Internazionale at San Siro.San Siro, 7.45On TV: Sky Sports Xtra
The two Argentinians left Stamford Bridge last summer on one-season loans.
Veron, a £15 million signing from Manchester United, had a frustrating spell in London because of a persistent back injury, but Crespo, bought for £16.8 million, left after scoring 10 goals in 19 Premiership games, a more than decent return considering this season Didier Drogba has scored nine in 22 and Eidur Gudjohnsen 10 in 30.
Inter's coach Roberto Mancini took a chance on Veron's physical condition last summer and his judgment appears to have been vindicated, with his former team-mate at Sampdoria and Lazio enjoying an injury-free season in Italy.
His Milan counterpart Carlo Ancelotti had a safer bet when signing the striker he knew from his time at Parma and Crespo has repaid that trust by scoring 10 goals in 23 Serie A games and four in the Champions League, including both goals in the 2-0 aggregate victory against Manchester United in the previous round.
The 29-year-old, who amassed 108 goals in 188 league games during his time at Parma, Lazio and Inter before joining Chelsea, never settled in England and is now eager to stay in Italy even when his loan spell expires in June.
"I wish we could find a quick solution. I have already made a financial sacrifice this season to make my loan move to Milan. It's clear you have to take sacrifices in order to obtain something," said the striker, who reportedly accepted a cut in his £3.5 million- a-season salary to get the temporary move.
"I received a few telephone calls from Chelsea after my goals against United and they told me that they are still keeping an eye on me. Even Mourinho called me, but, as I have already said many times, I would like to stay in Milan."
Tonight's derby is a crucial game in Milan's challenge for the double, with the club leading Serie A on goal difference from Juventus, 16 points clear of Inter in third.
And they are back to full strength - Crespo will play alongside Andriy Shevchenko, with the Ukrainian recovered from the facial injury which has kept him out for more than a month.
Inter have a major problem: their Brazilian striker Adriano is desperately trying to recover from a knee ligament injury in time for the return leg.
However, Christian Vieri should be on the bench after coming back from a knee injury, meaning that Obafemi Martins and Julio Cruz should start in attack, with Veron supplying the crosses from the right of midfield.
AC MILAN (4-3-1-2, probable): Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Maldini, Kaladze; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kaka; Crespo, Shevchenko.
INTERNAZIONALE (4-4-2, probable): Toldo; J Zanetti, Cordoba, Materazzi, Favalli; Veron, C Zanetti, Cambiasso, Stankovic; Cruz, Martins.
Referee: A Sars (France).
