AC Milan will look to make up ground on the Serie A pace-setters on Wednesday when they travel to nearby Bergamo to play one of their three games in hand against Atalanta.
The match was postponed last month to allow the Rossoneri to play at the FIFA Club World Cup - a competition they won by beating Boca Juniors 4-2.
An extra-time strike from substitute Alberto Gilardino on Sunday earned Carlo Ancelotti's side victory at Udinese and they will be looking for maximum points against Atalanta as they try to close the gap on the top four.
Milan are 10 points behind fourth-placed Fiorentina but have three games in hand.
"This is going to be a delicate game," admitted Ancelotti. "But we are doing well on the road and we will be looking to clinch a triumph.
"The fact that we beat Udinese, who are among the clubs looking to finish in the top four, was extremely important for us. But we still have a long way to go."
Whether Gilardino will be given a starting place after Sunday's heroics remains to be seen.
The Italy striker has been relegated to the bench since the arrival of youngster Alexandre Pato in January.
However, Ancelotti admits Gilardino remains a key player for Milan.
"It's clear that Gilardino has to compete for a place more than he did in the past," he said. "But I think he showed character against Udinese.
"He has reacted positively to Ronaldo's return to play from injury and the arrival of Pato but he will have playing time."
Milan fans will not be allowed to attend the Atleti Azzurri D'Italia Stadium for safety reasons.
Rivals Atalanta go into the encounter with plenty of concerns on and off the pitch.
Club president Ivan Ruggeri suffered an aneurysm last Wednesday and is still in critical condition in hospital but is set to undergo brain surgery later this week.
Coach Luigi Del Neri is hoping his men can fully focus as they look to put to an end a five-game winless run.
Atalanta have managed to collect just one point in their last five games and last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Genoa relegated the Bergamaschi to 11th position in the standings.
Del Neri was furious with the referee after his team had a goal disallowed when Sergio Floccari was adjudged to be in an offside position, and also questioned Luciano Figueroa's winner.
"This is an unjust result," he said. "The referees have had a bad day. We deserved the victory and certain decisions have greatly hindered us."
Milan welcome back playmaker Andrea Pirlo from suspension but will still be without captain Paolo Maldini and goalkeeper Dida.
Maldini is still unavailable with the flu while Dida is recovering from a minor knee injury.
Celjko Kalac will once again take Dida's place in goal.
The hosts can once again count on defender Morris Carrozieri and midfielder Antonio Langella after the pair served one-match bans.
An extra-time strike from substitute Alberto Gilardino on Sunday earned Carlo Ancelotti's side victory at Udinese and they will be looking for maximum points against Atalanta as they try to close the gap on the top four.
Milan are 10 points behind fourth-placed Fiorentina but have three games in hand.
"This is going to be a delicate game," admitted Ancelotti. "But we are doing well on the road and we will be looking to clinch a triumph.
"The fact that we beat Udinese, who are among the clubs looking to finish in the top four, was extremely important for us. But we still have a long way to go."
Whether Gilardino will be given a starting place after Sunday's heroics remains to be seen.
The Italy striker has been relegated to the bench since the arrival of youngster Alexandre Pato in January.
However, Ancelotti admits Gilardino remains a key player for Milan.
"It's clear that Gilardino has to compete for a place more than he did in the past," he said. "But I think he showed character against Udinese.
"He has reacted positively to Ronaldo's return to play from injury and the arrival of Pato but he will have playing time."
Milan fans will not be allowed to attend the Atleti Azzurri D'Italia Stadium for safety reasons.
Rivals Atalanta go into the encounter with plenty of concerns on and off the pitch.
Club president Ivan Ruggeri suffered an aneurysm last Wednesday and is still in critical condition in hospital but is set to undergo brain surgery later this week.
Coach Luigi Del Neri is hoping his men can fully focus as they look to put to an end a five-game winless run.
Atalanta have managed to collect just one point in their last five games and last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Genoa relegated the Bergamaschi to 11th position in the standings.
Del Neri was furious with the referee after his team had a goal disallowed when Sergio Floccari was adjudged to be in an offside position, and also questioned Luciano Figueroa's winner.
"This is an unjust result," he said. "The referees have had a bad day. We deserved the victory and certain decisions have greatly hindered us."
Milan welcome back playmaker Andrea Pirlo from suspension but will still be without captain Paolo Maldini and goalkeeper Dida.
Maldini is still unavailable with the flu while Dida is recovering from a minor knee injury.
Celjko Kalac will once again take Dida's place in goal.
The hosts can once again count on defender Morris Carrozieri and midfielder Antonio Langella after the pair served one-match bans.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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