PREVIEW: Champions AC Milan begin gruelling run at Lazio

By Alberto Cagliano Jan 30, 2012, 10:08 GMT

Rome - Serie A champions AC Milan look to switch gears Wednesday as they open a challenging run with an away game to Rome side Lazio.

After a brace from Miroslav Klose at the weekend sealed a 3-0 win at Chievo, Lazio coach Edy Reja said 'the success was very important' after three straight away defeats.

'Now I hope that the team recuperates fast, so to meet Milan at our best,' he said. 'We are doing well as a team. Now we must keep going after a period of crisis.'

Milan also won 3-0 against Cagliari to stay within one point of leaders Juventus as league top striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, now on 15 goals from 20 games, was crucial both as goalscorer and provider.

Crunch time now lies ahead for the Rossoneri, who in February test their ambitions as they, after Lazio, tackle Napoli and Udinese before a lighter task with Cesena and a big match with Juve.

The Devils also resume the Champions League, facing Arsenal on February 15 in the last 16, and meet the Bianconeri also in the Italian Cup semi-finals on February 8 and March 21.

Juve clinched a 2-1 win over Udinese with a brace from Alessandro Matri and open the mid-week round Tuesday at Parma.

Still unbeaten after 20 games, plus two in the Italian Cup, the Bianconeri from Turin seem to have forgotten the troubles of the past seasons.

'We are going beyond the most optimistic expectations,' international defender Giorgio Chiellini said.

'We knew we could play a very good season, but we came from two difficult years and, although we did not start from zero, we changed a lot (from the past season).

'We were clever in finding soon our balance and game and now we are continuing to grow. It is a process that is not over yet and that must go on if we want to fulfil our dreams.'

After beating Udinese, still third but six points adrift, Juve also saw Inter Milan crash 1-0 at Lecce to fall nine points behind and be leapfrogged by Lazio.

Udinese play late Wednesday at home to Lecce and Inter, who ended a run of seven wins, look to bounce back against guests Palermo.

Roma v Cagliari, Napoli v Cesena, Bologna v Fiorentina, Siena v Catania and Atalanta v Genoa are also set for Wednesday, with Novara v Chievo closing the round on Thursday.