PREVIEW: Lazio, Fiorentina do battle
AC Milan's nearest rivals Lazio and Fiorentina are in action on Sunday night and will seek to keep pace with the Rossoneri who secured a win on Friday against Genoa.
Milan warmed up for next week's Champions League trip to Barcelona with a hard-fought 2-0 Serie A victory at relegation-threatened Genoa on Friday.
Two of Milan's closest challengers for second go head-to-head on Sunday night as Lazio welcome Fiorentina to the Stadio Olimpico.
The Biancocelesti have slipped out of the top three after recording just one win from seven games, while Fiorentina remain in touch having beaten Chievo last time out.
Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti dismissed recent criticism of his side's poor run, telling La Repubblica: "These kind of things make me laugh.
"We are just experiencing a little bit of psychological burnout based on the tough games we had in the first round of fixtures."
His Fiorentina counterpart, Emiliano Viviano, is more optimistic, saying: "In April we can start thinking about Europe.
"Even though we are a few points away from the Champions League places, we will have a go."
There is no respite for league leaders Juventus, who booked their place in the last eight of the Champions League at the expense of Celtic, as in-form Catania visit Turin looking to atone for a dramatic home defeat to Inter.
The Nerazzurri return from a Europa League meeting with Tottenham to face the challenge of an improving Bologna team, while second-placed Napoli strive to end a debilitating run of four consecutive draws when they visit lowly Chievo.
The picture at the other end of the table is becoming clearer ahead of the run-in, with Palermo welcoming Siena to the Renzo Barbera for a relegation six-pointer after bottom side Pescara take on Atalanta in Bergamo.
The Delfini are under new management in the wake of Cristiano Bergodi's sacking, with former youth-team coach Cristian Bucchi tasked with overhauling a five-point deficit and securing survival.
Elsewhere, struggling Parma bid to seal a first win in nine at the expense of Torino while mid-table Sampdoria take on Cagliari at the Stadio Is Arenas.
Saturday's Serie A Round-Up
Neither Udinese nor Roma were able to take a decisive step toward the European places as they shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Friuli.
Erik Lamela put Roma in front after 20 minutes and the Giallorossi held the upper hand until the 62nd minute when Luis Muriel brought Udinese back on terms.
A red card for Thomas Heurtaux reduced the home team to 10 men for the last 20 minutes of the game, but they still held on for a point which leaves them six points adrift of the top five, while Roma move to within three points of their city rivals Lazio.
On Friday night, AC Milan continued their pursuit of second-placed Napoli and warmed up for next week's Champions League trip to Barcelona with a hard-fought 2-0 victory at relegation-threatened Genoa.
Goals in either half from Giampaolo Pazzini and substitute Mario Balotelli earned the Rossoneri all three points, despite a red card for visiting defender Kevin Constant.
That was not the game's only controversy, with the hosts demanding two penalties in the first half, but Massimiliano Allegri's side held on to secure the three points at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
Sunday's Serie A Fixtures
Friday's Serie A Result Saturday's Serie A Result