Pirlo returns for Milan against Cagliari

Milan's players might be forgiven if they have trouble focusing on the job of beating Cagliari at the San Siro tonight with a Champions League match against Manchester United and the city derby against Inter looming.

But having slashed Juventus's lead at the top of Serie A from eight points to two, the Italian champions can ill-afford to let them off the hook.

Last weekend, Milan needed a lucky own goal to beat Reggina 1-0 in a match in which they sorely missed the creative spark provided by Andrea Pirlo.

The midfielder, who acts as the pivot for Milan's smooth passing game, had to sit out the fixture after suffering a knee injury in Italy's international friendly with Russia.

The good news for Milan fans is that Pirlo is fit again and expected to return against Cagliari alongside Cristian Brocchi and Vikash Dhorasoo, who are standing in for midfielders Clarence Seedorf and Gennaro Gattuso ahead of Wednesday's match at Old Trafford.

Milan can also take heart from Cagliari's dire away form. They have picked up just six points in 12 matches this season.

Cagliari are without suspended midfielder Alessandro Budel, though Antonio Langella returns from a ban to form a three-man attack with fellow Italy international Mauro Esposito and Gianfranco Zola.

The other matches

Messina Vs Juventus - Having used an experimental attack in last week's 2-1 win over Udinese, Juve coach Fabio Capello is expected to revert to his usual strike partnership of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Trezeguet for the difficult trip to Sicily.

Messina have lost only twice at their Stadio San Filippo all season but start without defender Salvatore Aronica and midfielder Carmine Coppola, who are suspended.

Udinese Vs Inter - Inter coach Roberto Mancini has said his team remain in the title race, despite being 11 points behind Juventus.

His confidence will be sternly tested by Udinese, who have lost four of their last six games but welcome back leading striker Vincenzo Iaquinta from a bout of 'flu.

Atalanta Vs Bologna - Bologna, who have gone nine games without defeat, will replace injured striker Claudio Bellucci with Igli Tare.

For the hosts, Alex Calderoni stands in for first-choice keeper Massimo Taibi, who injured his thigh during last week's 2-1 defeat by Lazio.

Chievo Vs Lazio - Lazio's lengthy injury list includes winger Cesar, Paolo Di Canio and goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi, but they will have been heartened by last weekend's 2-1 victory over Atalanta - their first in six matches.

Chievo are in need of a pick-me-up after losing 3-0 against Lecce and will be without suspended defender Lorenzo D'Anna.

Palermo Vs Lecce - Champions League hopefuls Palermo start without the midfield pair of Stefano Morrone and Cristian Raimondi.

Lecce proved their attack remains among the most dangerous in the division, despite the January sale of Valeri Bojinov, as strikers Cedric Konan, Jaime Valdes and Mirko Vucinic grabbed a goal each in last week's win over Chievo.

Parma Vs Brescia - Brescia go into this relegation dogfight off the back of their first victory in 10 matches - a 2-0 win over Cagliari.

Parma's toothless 0-0 UEFA Cup draw with VfB Stuttgart in midweek again emphasised their over-reliance on Italy international striker Alberto Gilardino.

Roma Vs Livorno - Roma's push for a Champions League place has taken a pummelling recently, as they have earned only two points in their last three matches and suffered a 2-0 defeat against Inter last time out.

Livorno are among the division's most unpredictable teams and have beaten high-flying Sampdoria and Milan in their last five matches.

Sampdoria Vs Reggina - Sampdoria missed the chance to leapfrog Udinese into fourth place when they lost 1-0 to Livorno last week. Italy international midfielder Aimo Diana is out injured for the hosts as they take on a solid Reggina side.

Siena Vs Fiorentina - January signing Valeri Bojinov returns from suspension to bolster Fiorentina's attack. Siena's run of six consecutive draws has done little to pull them out of the relegation zone.