Pirlo to miss crucial Champions League clash

AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo has been ruled out of Tuesday’s crucial Champions League clash away to Auxerre with a thigh injury.

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri was already without strikers Pato and Filippo Inzaghi and full-backs Luca Antonini and Massimo Oddo.

If Milan lose the game they will drop out of the top two qualification spots with one game left to play, at home to Ajax.

Real Madrid have already qualified from Group G with 10 points from their four matches while Milan (five), Ajax (four) and Auxerre (three) are battling to join them in the knock-out stages.