Spanish striker Alvaro Morata knows he and his Juventus team-mates must put all thoughts of next week’s crunch Champions League game against Manchester City to the side and put all of their focus on tonight’s home game against Milan.
The defending Italian champions, who take on City next Wednesday in Turin looking to join the English club in the last 16, cannot afford to drop points in Serie A.
They are in sixth place, nine points adrift of table-toppers Fiorentina and Inter.
“Considering our current position in the standings, this game is a final,” Morata said.
“Our only focus is on the game against Milan and only after that game will we turn our attention to Wednesday’s match.”
Juve endured their worst ever start to a domestic campaign, winning just one of their opening six league games.
The Bianconeri got victories against Torino and Empoli prior to the international break, though, and will be looking to make it three league wins in a row for the first time this season.
“Juventus are playing better and winning,” Morata said.
“Our fans have been patient when things didn’t go well for us and I believe now we will repay that trust with good performances.”
Morata is convinced his team will battle for the scudetto this season, provided they keep up their good run of form.
“In a different tournament, a nine-point difference would be considered too much, but in Serie A anything can happen,” Morata said.
“In Serie A, you can lose against any team and that is why I’m convinced we will return to lead the standings.
“Our aim is to get as many points as possible from here until Christmas.”
Juve, coached by former Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri, will not be at full strength.
Defender Martin Caceres is sidelined with a thigh injury he sustained while on international duty with Uruguay.
Moreover, goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and defender Stephan Lichtsteiner picked up muscular injuries this week while representing Italy and Switzerland, respectively, and are doubtful.
Should Buffon fail to recover, Norberto Neto would play between the posts.
Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic is set to miss the encounter after sustaining a left ankle injury against Russia, leaving Paulo Dybala to partner Morata in Juve’s attack.
Milan travel to Turin unbeaten since October 4.
The Rossoneri saw their three-match winning run halted in a goalless result against Atalanta last time out and they sit one place and two points clear of Juve.
“This game means just as much as the derby,” Milan forward Luiz Adriano said.
“It’s like a final. It’s one of the most important games of the season. We know we will have to work very hard to win.
“Juve have a very strong defensive line and they are difficult team to beat.”
Carlos Bacca, who is Milan’s top scorer with six goals, will lead the Rossoneri’s attack.
The visitors are without injured forward Mario Balotelli, who underwent surgery this week to fix a groin problem and will be sidelined until the new year.
Meanwhile, veteran goalkeeper Diego Lopez is unavailable with a knee injury which means 16-year-old Gianluigi Donnarumma will earn his fifth straight start.
Fixtures
Serie A
Playing today
Bologna vs Roma - 18.00
Juventus vs Milan - 20.45
Tomorrow – 15.00
Atalanta vs Torino
Carpi vs Chievo
Fiorentina vs Empoli
Genoa vs Sassuolo
Inter vs Frosinone - 20.45
Lazio vs Palermo
Udinese vs Sampdoria
Verona vs Napoli - 12.30
Standings: Fiorentina, Inter 27; Roma 26; Napoli 25; Sassuolo 22; Milan 20; Juventus, Atalanta, Lazio 18; Sampdoria 16; Torino 15; Palermo, Empoli 14; Chievo, Genoa 13; Bologna, Udinese 12; Frosinone 11; Verona, Carpi 6.
Serie B
Played yesterday
Pescara vs Avellino - 3-2
Today – 15.00
Crotone vs Ternana
Entella vs Lanciano
Latina vs Salernitana
Novara vs Spezia
Perugia vs Brescia
Pro Vercelli vs Como
Trapani vs Modena
Vicenza vs Cesena
Tomorrow
Bari vs Livorno - 17.30
Monday
Cagliari vs Ascoli - 20.30
Leading standings: Cagliari 29; Crotone, Bari 25; Pescara 24; Cesena 23; Livorno 21; Brescia 20; Novara 19.