MILAN - Seven-time winner AC Milan is in the unfamiliar position of being the overwhelming underdog when it hosts Atletico Madrid in the first leg of its Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday. Atleticos best finish in the competition is runner-up 40 years ago but it is top of the Spanish league along with Barcelona and Real Madrid, and qualified from its group with an almost perfect record — slipping in a 1-1 draw at Zenit St. Petersburg. Milan is going through another transitional year and is under the guidance of inexperienced coach Clarence Seedorf. The Italian team is further hampered by injuries and suspensions. Despite its difficulties, Milan is the only Italian team to progress to the knockout stages. Can it pull off a shock? Here are five things to know about the match: KAKA CONCERN: Talismanic AC Milan playmaker Kaka expects to be fully fit in time. Kaka recovered from the flu to play in Fridays 1-0 victory over Bologna but had to be replaced 10 minutes from time after injuring his right ankle. The Brazilian returned to training on Monday. "After Fridays win, were confident and ready for Wednesday," said Kaka, who scored against Celtic in the group stage. AC Milan is without Sulley Muntari and captain Riccardo Montolivo, who are both suspended, and Stephan El Shaarawy, Valter Birsa, Robinho and Bryan Cristante, who are all injured. Cristian Zapata is also doubtful with injury. New signing Keisuke Honda is cup tied, having played in the Champions League this season for CSKA Moscow. MILAN MISERY: AC Milan looks to the Champions League as a welcome distraction from its domestic woes. Milan lies ninth in the Serie A after the exact same number of wins, draws and defeats — eight. Its mediocre form got coach Massimiliano Allegri sacked at the beginning of the year, and former player Clarence Seedorf replaced him. It is the 37-year-olds first managerial experience. However, Seedorf knows the tournament better than most. The Dutchman lifted the trophy the last time Milan won the competition, in 2007, and is the only player to have won the league with three different clubs — Ajax, Real Madrid and Milan twice. "They are favourites in every area, but the Champions League is something different," Seedorf said. "I am confident but it will be difficult. We need to have a very great game. "The 2007 Champions League represents the characteristics of this tournament. You can give so much more if you are all together. That year we werent at the highest level, but we changed in the Champions League. We have to do so again now." SAN SIRO STAGEFRIGHT? Atletico will be relieved goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will play after a recent dip while the Belgium goalie was sidelined by injury. Courtois has been instrumental in helping Atletico share the lead in the Spanish league and for finishing the league group stage undefeated. The first leg away will not daunt Atletico, their goalkeeper insists. "We wont be intimidated by (the San Siro). Weve already managed good results at difficult stadiums such as Sevilla, or Bilbao," Courtois said. "We also went into the group stage with little experience and succeeded. If we maintain the same intensity as we have in the league all season we shouldnt have any problems." Courtois expects his teammates to keep Mario Balotelli from breaking out: "Im not sure how well defend against him, Im sure the coach knows, however." ATLETICOS TWO DIEGOS: While David Villa has returned from injury to be available, Atletico will be leaning on a pair of Brazilian Diegos at San Siro. Striker Diego Costa and midfielder Diego Ribas are expected to be key players. Diego Costa recovered his scoring touch in a 3-0 win over Valladolid on Saturday, while Diego Ribas is showing the form of two seasons ago when he helped Atletico win the Europa League. "I like important games like this. Atletico is a big club and we should be playing these types of games," Diego Costa said. "They certainly motivate you, so going to play at the San Siro will be memorable. We can get a result there." SIMEONES MILAN LINK: Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone knows San Siro well. He spent two seasons there as a player with Inter Milan from 1997-99. In that period Inter drew three times against Milan in the league, winning once. It also suffered a hefty 5-0 defeat in the Italian Cup. Also, Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati spent the 2007-08 season on loan at Atletico. 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Costa injured his right thigh muscle against Barcelona last Saturday and had sought treatment in Belgrade from a doctor specializing in using fluid derived from horse placenta to repair damaged cells.New Orleans, LA (SportsNetwork.com) - Once again, the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns felt right at home in the Big Easy. Terrance Broadway threw for 227 yards and Hunter Stover kicked three field goals as the Ragin Cajuns won an unprecedented fourth straight New Orleans Bowl with a 16-3 triumph over Nevada. Broadway completed a crisp 26-of-31 passes with a first-quarter touchdown to C.J. Bates, though it was Louisianas defense that played the biggest role in the programs latest successful venture into the Superdome. Louisiana (9-4) held the Wolf Pack to season-low totals in points and total yards (213), with Nevada (7-6) mustering just 89 on the ground after rushing for 223 or more in five straight games coming in. Cody Fajardo, Nevadas dual-threat quarterback, was kept squarely in check in his final collegiate game, throwing for a mere 124 yards on 14-of-29 passing and gaining 49 yards on 13 carries. Elijah McGuire put up 153 yards from scrimmage to help the Cajuns close out the season with an eighth win in nine tries, with James Butler recording eight catches for 53 yards in the victory. Final Score: Utah State 21, UTEP 6 Albuquerque, NM (SportsNetwork.ddddddddddddcom) - The New Mexico Bowl was bereft of big plays, but Kent Myers accounted for two of them as Utah State grinded out a 21-6 victory over UTEP on Saturday. Myers ran for a 48-yard touchdown in the first quarter and set up a Nick Vigil TD run in the third with a 46-yard pass to JoJo Natson. The Aggies were otherwise stagnant on offense, but so were the Miners, who converted 5-of-20 third-down tries and managed just 149 rushing yards, well below their season average of 212. Utah State (10-4) reached double-digit wins for the second time in school history and posted its third straight postseason victory. The Miners (7-6) were hoping to end their campaign the way they started -- with a win at University Stadium in Albuquerque. They upended New Mexico there in the season opener behind Aaron Jones 237 yards and three TDs on the ground, but Jones was limited to 88 yards on 25 carries in the finale. Jameill Showers completed 13-of-24 passes for 126 yards and an interception in defeat. ' ' '