Depleted Milan face Fiorentina

By Paolo Menicucci

After their 2-0 win against PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, AC Milan return to domestic action and their head-to-head race with Juventus FC at the top of Serie A.

Trio suspended
The Rossoneri visit struggling ACF Fiorentina on Saturday, while Juventus welcome Bologna FC the following day. Milan have Paolo Maldini, Kakha Kaladze and Massimo Ambrosini suspended against a side who showed, in drawing 3-3 against Juventus a fortnight ago, that they can raise their game against the big teams.

Decisive match
"It's a decisive match, almost as much as the one against Juventus next week," said Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko. "A few years ago I missed an important penalty in Florence, but this time I want to win the game."

Rui Costa return
The fixture will be special for Rui Costa, who returns to the club he represented between 1994 and 2001. The home side are without banned defender Dario Dainelli, while Valeri Bojinov has recovered from his knee injury but is likely to start on the bench. Mid-table pair Cagliari Calcio and Reggina Calcio meet in Saturday's other match.

Capello concerns
Juventus coach Fabio Capello must also deal with the absence of key players. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is suspended, Jonathan Zebina is still out with a thigh injury, while Emerson and David Trezeguet are not 100 per cent fit, meaning possible bench duty.

Defensive tactics
"I think Bologna will come to Turin to defend and counterattack," said Juventus winger Mauro Camoranesi. "I'm sure it will be difficult to score against them but we proved [last week] against [S.S.] Lazio that we are in good physical condition. If we beat Bologna and Milan, we will have half of the Scudetto in our pocket."

European race
In the race for Champions League qualification, third-placed FC Internazionale Milano welcome AC Siena. Udinese Calcio, just two points behind fourth-placed UC Sampdoria, entertain bottom side Atalanta BC, while the Blucerchiati visit FC Messina Peloro.

Relegation struggle
US Lecce coach Zdenek Zeman takes on former team Lazio, and US Città di Palermo host lowly AC Chievo Verona. Second and third-bottom Parma FC and Brescia Calcio are level on points with Fiorentina, and the UEFA Cup contenders receive AS Livorno Calcio while Brescia travel to AS Roma, themselves not out of danger just five points off the drop zone.