AC Milan tackle Juve in Serie A thriller

ROME (AP):

Juventus have already beaten AC Milan twice this season and the Rossoneri are determined to change the outcome in the latest meeting of Italy's top two clubs today at the San Siro.

"We've got to win, this is a battle for the title and we can't make any more errors," said Milan centre back Thiago Silva, who is widely considered the top defender in the league.

However, Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss the match while serving a three-game ban for slapping Napoli defender Salvatore Aronica in the face earlier this month.

"With Ibra they're more predictable, although he himself is unpredictable," Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli said. "Without Ibra they move more and don't provide reference points."

Milan lead Juve by one point but the Turin club have a game in hand.

In their first league meeting, in October, Juventus beat Milan 2-0 with two late goals from Claudio Marchisio. Then two weeks ago in the first leg of the Italian Cup semi-finals, Juventus won again, 2-1, with two goals from Martin Caceres. After today, their final meeting this season will come March 21 in the second cup leg.

Juventus undefeated

Juventus are undefeated and have nearly their entire squad healthy.

Juventus will likely rely on Mirko Vucinic and Alessandro Matri in attack, although Fabio Quagliarella is also an option after scoring in a 3-1 win over Catania last weekend.

Also this weekend, struggling Inter Milan visits Napoli in a matchup of two clubs heading in opposite directions.

Napoli won 3-0 at Fiorentina last week then beat Chelsea 3-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Inter's 1-0 loss to Marseille in the elite European competition Wednesday marked their fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions, and their sixth loss in their last seven matches.

Lazio, who host Fiorentina tomorrow, are also in disarray. Manager Edy Reja has reportedly handed in a letter of resignation but was still directing the squad at Atletico Madrid in the Europa League on Thursday.

Lazio are tied with Udinese for third, eight points behind Milan and seven behind Juventus.

Udinese, who visit Bologna tomorrow, also had a Europa league game Thursday, at PAOK Thessaloniki.

Also this weekend, it's: Genoa vs Parma; Atalanta vs Roma; Cagliari vs Lecce; Catania vs Novara; Chievo vs Cesena; and Siena vs Palermo.