Pressure grows on Milan coach Ancelotti

By James Eve

ROME (Reuters) - AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti will be under intense pressure to get a win when his side host Empoli in Serie A on Saturday (kickoff 7:30 p.m. British time).

The 47-year-old former Milan midfielder has said he would like to emulate Alex Ferguson's achievements at Manchester United by remaining at the helm for years to come.

But his team's disappointing season in Serie A, and their 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday, have prompted speculation that he could be off at the end of the season.

Milan are sixth in Serie A on 44 points, 35 points behind leaders and city rivals Inter.

Ancelotti long ago gave up hope of winning the title but a poor result against fifth-placed Empoli, who are one point ahead, could leave Milan struggling to close the gap on the top four in their remaining eight matches.

Failure to do so would open up the bleak prospect of no Champions League football next season.

Their opponents have been a revelation this season.

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