ROME (AFP) -- Filippo Inzaghi's goalscoring prowess will face the acid test against visiting AEK Athens today when he spearheads AC Milan's attack for the first time without Andriy Shevchenko at his side.

After a turbulent start to the season, the former European champions will be hoping Inzaghi can provide a welcome tonic, in the shape of goals, in their first Champions League encounter of the season.

However whether the man known as 'Super Pippo' can step up to the plate without Shevchenko, whose departure to Chelsea came on top of a somewhat negative preseason period, remains to be seen.

The Ukrainian's departure for London was followed by a guilty verdict for the Milan giants in a much-publicized match-fixing scandal which seen Juventus relegated.

That was followed by an eventually reduced sanction of eight penalty points in the league for the Milan club.

Crucially, Milan were allowed to keep their place in Europe's elite competition, albeit it from an earlier stage, and that has given Inzaghi the chance to add to his tally of 34 Champions League goals.

While Shevchenko was the graceful and powerful sharp-shooter, Inzaghi's poaching talents in front of goal are renowned the world over.

And while there is no shortage of admirers for Shevchenko, Inzaghi has never been lauded for his technical abilities. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson once said of Inzaghi: "He was born in an offside position."

And former Barcelona manager Johann Cruyff, a great technician as a player, was no less blunt in his assessment. "Look, actually he can't play football at all. He's just always in the right position."

However, that was something of a veiled compliment. No one can argue that with 51 caps, 23 international goals and a World Cup winners medal, Inzaghi is worthless as a striker. Inzaghi once said: "I live for goals."

Having started by scoring twice in Milan's qualifying round victory over Red Star Belgrade which put them into the Champions League proper, Milan will be hoping Inzaghi can score plenty more this season if they are to achieve any success at all.

The strikers vying for Shevchenko's place are Alberto Gilardino and Brazilian Ricardo Oliveira.