Milan wary of Fiorentina threat

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani believes Fiorentina should not be underestimated ahead of their Serie A clash at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Galliani acknowledges that his league-leading side are favorites to win the Scudetto after picking up maximum points again their closest rivals Inter and Napoli.

Milan have led Serie A for 21 weeks of the season, but dropped points against Bari and Palermo and could yet slip up away to ninth-placed Fiorentina on Sunday.

“We will face it (the match) with the usual commitment,” Galliani said.

“All matches are difficult, as I told the coach and some players today. Consider this – our last games were against Napoli, Juventus, Bari, Palermo and Inter Milan. We gained nine points against Napoli, Juventus and Inter Milan, while just one against Bari and Palermo.”

“So I never know, the matches are all the same to me, they all count for three points. I don’t know which are the easy ones and which are the difficult ones.”

Milan go into the game safe in the knowledge that even if they lose and Napoli win, Walter Mazzari’s challengers will stay second courtesy of their inferior head-to-head record.

“I know we have been leading the championship for 21 weeks now and I know that we will be leading next week too ? because head-to-head matches are in our favour, so if we and Napoli would have the same points we will be ahead of them,” Galliani said.

“The team gained 12 points against the two main challengers ? Inter Milan and Napoli, so winning this championship is our duty.”

Galliani also moved to play down speculation linking troubled Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli with a return to Italy.

“I repeat, let’s leave Balotelli alone now, Manchester City has just bought him last summer ? so it’s better to talk about our players,” Galliani said.

“Anyway, Balotelli is a friend, he is an AC Milan supporter, but a Manchester City player.”