"He has forgotten Italian and that's why he wants to return," he joked. "Seriously though, I got the impression that he wanted to come back to Milan.

"I didn't express surprise at his return - I merely said that Shevchenko has similar characteristics to Pato.

"I never even said that they can't play together and it is wrong to say that I don't want Sheva here. He could return and he could be very useful."

There was also time for a very brief discussion of the possible addition of Barcelona star Ronaldinho.

"It's an intriguing situation," Ancelotti explained. "He would be a new kind of player for us, somewhere between a trequartista and a striker.

"But for now the players are ready to go out on the pitch tomorrow for a crucial battle and I don't want to dwell on the market.

"I only want to say that all the choices the club makes will be in absolute harmony with the Coach's thoughts."