THE problems are piling up for AC Milan ahead of tomorrow's crunch Group H match with Celtic.

The 1-1 draw against Genoa - who were reduced to 10 men after half an hour in the San Siro - saw Massimo Allegri's side slip further down Serie A.

In contrast to the points they are accumulating, their injuries are increasing at an alarming rate.

Keeper Marco Amelia and defender Cristian Zaccardo are both out tomorrow, while another, defender Mattia De Sciglio, and striker Stephan El Shaarawy face a race against the clock to return from injury.

Now centre-back, Philippe Mexes - the man-of-the-match when Celtic lost 2-0 in Milan on the opening day of the group stage - and midfielder Sully Muntari - who scored the second goal that night - have been added to the list of walking wounded.

Milan's chief executive and vice-president, Adriano Galliani, revealed: "Muntari pulled a muscle and he'll be out for a while. Mexes has an inflammation of an eye. I don't know if he'll be back for the next match, but my experience tells me he will not be."

It is another two hammer blows for Milan, who faced the wrath of their supporters after the match at the weekend.

Kaka - who scored their goal against Genoa after just three minutes - and Christian Abbiati, were brave enough to go out and meet the baying mob.

Team-mate Daniele Bonera admitted: "Kaka and Abbiati went to talk to the fans, but I think that's a sign of respect rather than anything else. As a fan, I can understand there's some scepticism about the team at the moment, and it's up to us to get the fans back onside.

"In the Champions League, our destiny is in our hands. If we win against Celtic or Ajax, we go through. We'll give everything we have tomorrow."

Galliani knows they will come under even more fire if they blow their chance to join Barcelona in progressing to the last 16.

He said: "There's a lot at stake against Celtic. It's a really important match for our progress in the Champions League. We will have to be careful of the match in Amsterdam as well (where Ajax host Barcelona).

"But, if we win, the problem won't present itself. I'm sure we'll do well, and let's hope the season ends better than it started."

Galliani attempted to overlay a sense of perspective on their current plight by adding: "A negative season can happen to anyone. Fiorentina have been out of the Champions League for five years, and Inter Milan ended the last two seasons in seventh and ninth place.

"There's no need to dramatise the situation. If something like that happens (no European place after Christmas), no-one is going to die. We have been in the Champions League for 11 out of the last 12 years."

Nevertheless, there is growing disquiet within the club, and Galliani accepts they must drag themselves out of this slump.

He said: "There's no point talking about injuries. The league position is there for all to see: 14 points in 13 games.

"I don't like making excuses. We have one point less than this time last season, but everything should be looked at over a longer time period and not just one season.

"We have to lift our heads back up and, even in times like this, be proud of this club that has won so much. We have to be patient. Milan will rise again."