Serie A preview: Milan look to halt slump

Serie A leaders AC Milan welcome relegation strugglers Parma to the San Siro on Saturday, while the chasing pack faces tougher examinations.

Milan, whose advantage over Napoli at the top of the league has dropped to three points, have struggled in recent weeks, recording four draws from their past six matches, including last week’s 1-1 deadlock against struggling Genoa.

Despite the minor slump, manager Massimiliano Allegri is unperturbed by the dwindling gap between his side and Napoli.

“I knew we had to fight until the end for the Scudetto,” Allegri said.

“Inter have lots of quality, like Napoli and Roma, but I worry about Milan – and about getting back the many injured players.”

“At the moment we are still leading. It is normal that I feel we are the favourites for the Scudetto.”

Milan will be boosted by the return of midfielder Andrea Pirlo, who has overcome a hamstring strain, while defender Alessandro Nesta is close to returning after a shoulder injury.

Napoli meanwhile face a trip to the Olympic Stadium to take on seventh-placed Roma, with Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani, who scored his 18th league goal for the season in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Cesena, the key for Walter Mazzarri’s side.

Inter Milan will look to continue their revival under new coach Leonardo when they travel to Turin to take on Juventus on Sunday.

Leonardo will be missing injured striker Diego Milito and suspended defender Cristian Chivu, who was banned for four games for punching Bari defender Marco Rossi during Inter’s 3-0 win on Thursday.

Also on Sunday, fourth-placed Lazio visit the Stadio Mario Rigamonti to take on Brescia, who will be fighting to get out of the relegation zone, while Udinese travel to Cesena.

Surprise packet Palermo, who are fifth, welcome Fiorentina to the Stadio Renzo Barbera, while bottom club Bari, who on Thursday sacked manager Giampiero Ventura and replaced him with Bortolo Mutti, host Genoa.

Cagliari will welcome Chievo Verona in a mid-table clash and Catania play host to Lecce, with the sides just one and two points clear of the relegation zone respectively.