AC Milan: frontal assault

Milan:  AC Milan could unleash the full force of their fearsome frontline foursome on Saturday (1845 GMT) but unheralded hosts Cesena have already shown their backbone in the fledgling Serie A season.

In the first round of games before the international break, Milan thumped Lecce 4-0 at home but that was before the late transfer window signings of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho.

Promoted Cesena managed a battling 0-0 draw at last term's runners-up AS Roma in their first outing and may now have to come face to face with Ibrahimovic, Robinho, Ronaldino and Alexandre Pato all at once.

Ibrahimovic will make his first start, Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri confirmed yesterday.

"There is without doubt a possibility that all four will play," said Allegri. "But we need time. We've worked for two months to find a balance and now we need a bit of time to find a new one."

Owner Silvio Berlusconi's sudden decision to open Milan's coffers after a year of frugal spending followed a drab pre-season under new coach Massimiliano Allegri and the gradual realisation that the existing squad was not up to scratch.

The new policy contrasts markedly with rivals Inter Milan, bidding for a sixth straight scudetto this term following last season'[s stunning treble success.

Inter owner Massimo Moratti has opted to stick with the squad which won the Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup titles — minus Mario Balotelli — but the season-opening 0-0 draw at Bologna was a slightly stale affair.

"We decided that buying just for the sake of it wasn't worth it," Moratti said. "The squad is not old. We won everything not 10 years ago but two months ago."

Reinforcements

New coach Rafael Benitez made no secret of the fact he wanted reinforcements but also acknowledged that unlike his time at Liverpool, the clubs not the managers buy players in Italy.

The Spaniard will be glad to have a home game today (1600) against an Udinese side who have similarly failed to strengthen and are among the favourites to struggle this term especially after a 1-0 home defeat by Genoa first time out.

Roma, who visit Cagliari (1845), also play today because of next week's Champions League games. Juventus can only dream of such appointments following last term's seventh place finish and a 1-0 defeat at Bari in their opener despite almost a whole new team of signings.

New defenders Armand Traore and Leandro Rinaudo, recruited after the Bari game, could play at home to coach Luigi Del Neri's former side Sampdoria tomorrow (1300) with fit-again Vincenzo Iaquinta and Alberto Aquilani also available.

Ibrahimovic fires salvo at Inter

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has yet to declare eternal love for AC Milan but he is already striking blows at former club and last term's treble winners Inter Milan.

The Sweden striker, who has joined Milan on an initial loan from Barcelona having quit Inter last year after winning three Serie A titles, said on Thursday he was back in Italy to prove the supremacy of his new team over their city rivals.

"We are stronger than Inter," he told a packed news conference with around 100 excitable fans waiting outside for his official presentation.

"This is the most beautiful shirt I have played with. This year it's all about these two clubs. I am sure we are favourites for both the scudetto and Champions League."

His words will send shivers down the spines of the Inter faithful who used to adore the 28-year-old, but after falling out with Barca coach Pep Guardiola, former Juventus forward Ibrahimovic is not ready to commit his career to Milan.

"When I join a club I think it's my last one but then little things happen and things can change. At Barca everything was going well but then someone didn't want me any more," he said.

"At AC Milan I hope to stay but then it depends on the club and the coach. I hope to do better than at Juventus and Inter."

Fixtures: Serie A fixtures (times GMT)

Playing on Saturday

• Inter Milan v Udinese (1600)
• Cagliari v AS Roma (1845)
• Cesena v AC Milan (1845)

Playing on Sunday

• Brescia v Palermo (1030)
• Catania v Parma (1300)
• Genoa v Chievo Verona (1300)
• Juventus v Sampdoria (1300)
• Lazio v Bologna (1300)
• Lecce v Fiorentina (1300)
• Napoli v Bari (1845)