AC Milan's fightback from a disastrous start to its Serie A campaign faces another stiff test on Sunday when will be the guest of city rival Inter at the San Siro.

Milan's start to the season, only a few months after a runner-up finish to Juventus and just over a year after its title win in 2011, was worst its in history and left coach Massimiliano Allegri hanging onto his job by a thread.

Allegri, however, has overseen a huge change in fortunes to see his side move up to third with 13 games left and stun Barcelona 2-0 on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

With Juve on top, and boasting a four-point lead on Napoli, it has long been considered that either team will duel for the scudetto, especially with Milan 11 points off the pace but tied on points with Lazio (44) in fourth.

Inter, in fifth a further point adrift, has lost momentum in recent weeks and welcome a Milan side that should be brimming with confidence.

Any fears that the win against Barca would ease expectations ahead of the Inter, fixture, were quickly kicked into touch by Allegri.

"We can't get carried away, we have to recharge our batteries and get ready for Inter. It's another significant obstacle that we have to overcome," Allegri said after Wednesday's match.

Inter continued its progression in the Europa League on Thursday with a 3-0 away victory over Cluj for a 5-0 aggregate win over the Romanians. Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni's resolve was put to the test last week when he lost Argentine striker Diego Milito for the rest of the season after he suffered a serious knee injury in the first leg victory.

A humiliating 4-1 defeat for Inter away to Fiorentina then paved the way for Milan to move up to third place, and on Thursday key Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia picked up a knee niggle that could rule him out.

AFP

(China Daily 02/23/2013 page16)