The challenge facing Milan is a daunting one as they travel to a Lazio side who have been beaten in two successive matches, including a 4-1 loss at home to Cagliari.

Milan insist that their title chances are not over, but both teams on Sunday will be desperate for three points, as Lazio are still in with a chance of qualifying for Europe. One problem for Milan is that new loan signing David Beckham may not be available as he had to be substituted in the second half against Genoa after injuring his groin.

If he is ruled out, coach Carlo Ancelotti will have to decide whether to replace him with Frenchman Mathieu Flamini or bring Clarence Seedorf back into the midfield and restore Ronaldinho to the starting line-up alongside forward Pato, with Kaka dropping back to the hole behind the front pair.

In recent matches Kaka has played further forward with Seedorf in the hole behind the front two, a system that seemed to be working well.

At the press conference Ancelotti said, “Lazio come into tomorrow’s game in a moment of difficulty. We will find a hot atmosphere and it could be a key situation for them because playing against a great team like Milan at a time like this could give them extra motivation. It will therefore be a delicate match.”

The coach added, “Against Genoa we lost two points and tomorrow we have the opportunity to regain them. The team is well and they are showing that on the pitch. They just need to learn to deal with times in the match where we have less control over the play.”

On the question of whether David Beckham’s name will be on the squad list of players chosen by Milan for the UEFA Cup, Ancelotti revealed: “The list of players for UEFA only needs to be in by midnight tomorrow. If Beckham’s name goes onto that list it is our right, but we are not forced to do so.

"The choice of who to include in the list is a delicate one however, as Gattuso is recovering ahead of schedule, Nesta is also recovering and we are expecting Borriello back at a useful time.”

Finally Ancelotti discussed the gap dividing Milan and leaders Inter. “There have been many games where we could have closed the match and we didn’t do so.

"Trailing is always more tiring than staying ahead, because there are more pressures involved, and you cannot make mistakes in matches, but the important thing is for the team to continue as they have in the last few games, as it has been a pleasure.”