Red-hot AC Milan will be hoping to fire on all cylinders when they battle with an improving Cagliari at the San Siro stadium on Sunday.
Italian champions AC Milan will be hoping to close the gap on league leaders Juventus when they entertain Cagliari at the San Siro stadium on Sunday.
The Rossoneri know that anything less than the three points could drastically reduce their chances of retaining the Scudetto, particularly because Juventus find themselves in sensational form and could escape from the chasing pack.
Milan, who beat Lazio 3-1 to reach the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia midweek, have won seven consecutive home matches against Cagliari and will make it eight if they continue to play like they have been in recent games.
But Cagliari surely won't be easy beats, as since losing 2-0 to Milan at the Stadio Sant'Elia just over a month ago, they have remained unbeaten in three games.
The Sardinians will be hoping to pull off an upset against Milan, as they did last in 1997, but this seems highly unlikely not only because of their inconsistency this season, but because their rivals contain Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the league's highest marksman with twelve goals.
While Ibrahimovic will return to the Milan starting eleven, after coming on from the bench in the Coppa Italia win against Lazio, Massimiliano Allegri will be unable to count with a host of players. The midfield trio of Kevin-Prince Boateng, Gennaro Gattuso and Mathieu Flamini will sit out the match, as will Alexander Merkel. Other players to miss the game include Alexandre Pato, Mario Yepes and Alberto Aquilani.
However, the good news is that Milan will be boosted by the return of first-choice goalkeeper Christian Abbiati who received the green light after recovering from a calf injury.
Milan's latest signing, Argentine striker Maximiliano Lopez, will have to wait at least another match before making his debut after completing his move from Catania on Friday.
Unlike Allegri, Cagliari boss David Ballardini will field a full-strength side to confront the match. But it is unknown whether he will present new Chilean signing Mauricio Pinilla with his debut.
If the striker were to make his debut at the San Siro, he would partner one of two fellow South Americans in the attack, whether it be Joaquin Larrivey or Victor Ibarbo.
The Rossoneri know that anything less than the three points could drastically reduce their chances of retaining the Scudetto, particularly because Juventus find themselves in sensational form and could escape from the chasing pack.
Milan, who beat Lazio 3-1 to reach the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia midweek, have won seven consecutive home matches against Cagliari and will make it eight if they continue to play like they have been in recent games.
But Cagliari surely won't be easy beats, as since losing 2-0 to Milan at the Stadio Sant'Elia just over a month ago, they have remained unbeaten in three games.
The Sardinians will be hoping to pull off an upset against Milan, as they did last in 1997, but this seems highly unlikely not only because of their inconsistency this season, but because their rivals contain Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the league's highest marksman with twelve goals.
While Ibrahimovic will return to the Milan starting eleven, after coming on from the bench in the Coppa Italia win against Lazio, Massimiliano Allegri will be unable to count with a host of players. The midfield trio of Kevin-Prince Boateng, Gennaro Gattuso and Mathieu Flamini will sit out the match, as will Alexander Merkel. Other players to miss the game include Alexandre Pato, Mario Yepes and Alberto Aquilani.
However, the good news is that Milan will be boosted by the return of first-choice goalkeeper Christian Abbiati who received the green light after recovering from a calf injury.
Milan's latest signing, Argentine striker Maximiliano Lopez, will have to wait at least another match before making his debut after completing his move from Catania on Friday.
Unlike Allegri, Cagliari boss David Ballardini will field a full-strength side to confront the match. But it is unknown whether he will present new Chilean signing Mauricio Pinilla with his debut.
If the striker were to make his debut at the San Siro, he would partner one of two fellow South Americans in the attack, whether it be Joaquin Larrivey or Victor Ibarbo.
