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A thriller in the offing

DUBAI - Football fans have been promised an unrivalled sporting spectacle when Al Ahli take on Italian giants AC Milan in the inaugural Emirates Challenge Cup on Sunday (Kick-off: 8pm).

The Rossoneri are using the game as part of their preparations for the second half of the Serie A season and seem set to field a host of world-class stars, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pato, Robinho and Clarence Seedorf, at the Al Rashid Stadium.

Such high-calibre opposition will certainly test the credentials of their Etisalat Pro-League hosts, but Al Ahli captain – and Italy legend – Fabio Cannavaro insists he and his teammates are up for the daunting challenge ahead.

“It’s going to be a tough game against AC Milan, yet we are ready and prepared to provide all of our fans with an exciting and quality match on the field. Our squad is fired up,” the 37-year-old said.

AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri has also vowed his team won’t be taking it easy in what is effectively a winter warm-up fixture, with massive outings looming for them on the horizon.

“Spectators are going to be thrilled with what they see on the pitch this evening, as our squad looks at this match to be an excellent test before we start the second half of the 2010/2011 season in Europe and prepare for our next UEFA Champions League game,” the former Cagliari boss added.

Tickets, which are selling fast, are priced at Dh100-150 for adults and Dh50-75 for children under 12.

They are only on sale at the stadium, with the box office opening at 9am this morning and purchases can be made right up to the start of the match at 8pm.

Ronaldinho future

Meanwhile AC Milan’s preparations for the clash have been hit at the 11th hour amid continual uncertainty over Ronaldinho’s future.

The Brazilian playmaker, 30, has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks, with an exit away from the San Siro looking increasingly likely as the clock ticked down to this month’s transfer window.

Talk of such a move intensified on Saturday when reports surfaced that the ex-Barcelona star had in fact left the Rossoneri’s training camp here and flown back to his native Brazil ahead of an expected switch to former club Gremio.

“We await his departure becoming official,” said Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri, doing nothing to quell the rumour mill surrounding a footballer he’d benched for much of this Serie A campaign.

“Maybe there was a lack of willingness on his part. I was convinced that Ronaldinho could have a great season.

“He started well, with a balanced side, but then everyone has to take their own responsibility.”

It appears Ronaldinho had become surplus to requirements at the Italian giants, with the recent arrival of Sampdoria’s Antonio Cassano allowing them to offload the 2005 European Footballer of the Year.

There have often been those who would question the Samba star’s attitude and fitness too, with Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti expressing grave concerns only this week.

“I am not surprised by the decline of Ronaldinho; I saw it coming. His physical condition has always been precarious, while nobody could doubt his talent,” the 51-year-old said of the man he worked with at Milan for one season (08-09), before offering his support to the stance taken by Allegri.

“I admire the way Allegri very quickly understood the shape of his team. Milan use their heads and will win the Scudetto. I think Allegri is better than me!”

Those words of warning though clearly haven’t reached the Olimpico Monumental in Porto Alegre, where club chiefs are seemingly prepared to play a patient game – and make AC Milan lower their asking price – prior to landing their old favourite.

“We are waiting for the situation to evolve, but we are remaining calm,” Gremio vice president Cesar Cidade Dias explained.

“All will be a lot clearer after January 15. There are various clubs that want Ronaldinho, but our shirt represents a lot to him.

“We have our weapons an we’ll fight for his signature. I’m optimistic.”

Ronaldinho’s agent and brother, Roberto de Assis, has nonetheless given Dias and Gremio a clear indication that his sibling is coming back to South America, adding: “After 10 years in Europe, the time has arrived to go back home. However, there is no rush in negotiations.”

alex@khaleejtimes.com