Dida Set To Start On Sunday After Night Of Shame

Under-fire Milan keeper Dida is set to be thrust right back into the spotlight as Milan have declared him fit to play in their Serie A encounter with Lazio on Sunday.

The Brazilian keeper has become the focal point of much mockery and outrage as he was at fault for both goals in the loss to Celtic on Wednesday, but far worse still he was guilty of a shameful spot of playacting on European football's biggest stage that he will struggle to live down.

While the Celtic players were still celebrating Scott McDonald's 90th minute winner, a home fan ran onto the pitch and tapped the Brazilian keeper near his face while running across his path. The Milan keeper initially gave chase, but then after a couple of strides collapsed in a heap on the turf as if he was just sucker-punched by Mike Tyson. After a delay, he was taken off on a stretcher with an icepack held to the side of his head, even though the replays clearly showed that the contact – although inexcusable – was minimal.

"I think Dida is fit to play for Sunday,” commented Milan sporting director Umberto Gandini, as if there had been any doubt whether Dida had actually sustained an injury.

"It is difficult to understand what happened. But it did not have any influence on the result.

"The incident is unfortunate. We have nothing to say against anyone at Celtic. It was just an insane moment by one single person.

"He was slammed in the neck. I think we should cut this thing (discussion of the incident) out as soon as possible."

Whether Dida will be in a good enough state psychologically to line up for Milan in an important game so soon after his night of shame is another question. Even before the farcical events from Wednesday, the Brazilian keeper already had to contend with persistent pressure from the Rossoneri fans and Italian press due to his susceptibility to making nervous mistakes.