AC Milan will need just a single point to land themselves a place in the Last 16 when they face Ajax at the San Siro.

Preview: Milan and Ajax battle for qualification to Round of 16

The clash at San Siro will decide which of the two teams will join Barcelona from Group H to advance to the knockout stage of the Champions League. Whereas a draw will be sufficient for the Rossoneri to advance to the next round, Ajax will need all three points.

An unlikely win for Celtic over Barcelona can also see Milan claim the top spot in Group H and thereby allow themselves to be paired against an easier opposition in the Round of 16.

 

After a disastrous start to the season Massimiliano Allegri has restored order to some extent and the Rossoneri have not lost a match in their last five outings. Milan sit ninth in the league table 22 points adrift of league leaders Juventus and it is fair to say that they will find it extremely difficult to land a top three place this season, which means that a Champions League qualification is highly unlikely.

Massimiliano Allegri will thus be hoping he can take Milan as far ahead as possible in Europe this season and a victory against Ajax is of prime importance for that to be achieved.

"I've got lots of faith in my lads," Allegri said at a news conference in Milan on Tuesday.

"Sadly we've not got the results we deserved in the league, but the Champions League and Serie A cannot be compared.”

"It's an important game and we've got to knock Ajax out. They're playing very well and are in great form. They play good football, but we're at home and we've got to try to beat them. We've got to be serene, careful and focused, and I'm certain the lads won't get their approach wrong."

Even though Milan need just a single point to qualify to the next round, the Italian tactician has insisted that his team will go for all three points on Tuesday.

"Teams in the Champions League always play to win," Allegri added.

"We never take to the field aiming for a draw in the league either -- we always play to win.

Tomorrow night, we're expecting a helping hand from the fans. They can help us play in this competition again in March."

Allegri’s men should however be wary of Ajax’s recent form which has been exceptional. The Amsterdammers have won all of their last six matches which also includes a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in their last European outing. Frank de Boer’s men will thus be full of confidence and are more than capable of scoring a victory over the Italians. Owing to their inferior head to head record, Ajax will however not be able to go on top of the group even if they notch all three points, which will be good enough only to guarantee them the second place.

Last time the two sides met Ajax were unlucky to have to settle for the draw. Stefano Denswil opened the scoring for the Dutch side, before a controversial injury time Mario Balotelli penalty brought the scores to level.

Frank de Boer's men have a poor record in the competition as far as away matches are concerned, with the defending Dutch champions not having won away from home in the last six matches they have played in the Champions league.

However Ajax have fared well against Italian teams and are undefeated against teams from Serie A in their last three matches. Last time they played at the San Siro, Ajax scored a 2-0 victory over Milan back in the 2010-2011 season.

The hosts have a number of injury concerns ahead of the match with all of Marco Amelia, Mattia De Sciglio, Giampaolo Pazzini and Robinho ruled out of the tie.

Ajax on the other hand will be without captain Siem de Jong and defender Nicolai Boilsen both of whom have suffered hamstring injuries. Lerin Duarte meanwhile will continue to nurse his ankle injury and Joel Veltman will serve his suspension.

Striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson however has recovered from the ankle injury he suffered while on international duty with Iceland and is likely to make the squad.

Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, Live scores

Watch Milan vs Ajax live on Wednesday, December 11, 2013:

In Canada at 14:45 ET on Mediaset Italia, Sportsnet World Online, Sportsnet One

In UK at 19:45 BST on Sky Sports Events Centre, Sky Sports Red Button

In USA at 14:45 ET on Fox Sports 2, Fox Soccer 2Go, SiriusXM FC

Fans in Australia can catch the action live on ESPN3 Australia.

For complete details of match listings and live scores, visit the Milan vs Ajax match page.