MILAN - AC Milan host Livorno on Wednesday determined to climb to fourth position in the Serie A standings.
The match was postponed back in December to allow the Rossoneri to play at the Club World Cup - a competition they won by beating Boca Juniors 4-2.
The Rossoneri go into the encounter on the back of a 1-0 triumph against Fiorentina, which marked their fourth win in a row and saw them cut the deficit with the Viola to just two points.
A win against the Amaranto will see the Rossoneri leapfrog the Tuscan giants and hold the last Champions League qualifying spot with 16 games left to play.
Moreover, it will be a big boost in confidence for the Rossoneri players in view of the challenging calendar that awaits them.
Milan make the journey to Parma this weekend before travelling to London to meet Arsenal in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
"We have to recover some injured players but overall we are well and hence, I am confident for the games that await us," said Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti.
"Our aim this season in the domestic front is to finish fourth and it's a task that we hope to achieve by beating Livorno on Wednesday.
"With regards to the European competition, we want to go as far as possible even if Arsenal will prove a big obstacle."
The Rossoneri go into the encounter at the San Siro having to do without Alexandre Pato, Kaka and Gennaro Gattuso, all unavailable through injury.
However, Ancelotti will be hoping for more of the same from Alberto Paloschi.
The 18-year-old striker came up with the goods on Sunday by firing into the back of the net just 18 seconds after entering the pitch in what was his debut with the Rossoneri in Serie A.
His performance against Fiorentina has earned the youngster another chance to shine come Wednesday.
"Paloschi will play against Livorno," said Ancelotti. "I don't know whether he will start or he will go in as a substitute."
Ancelotti may consider playing Paloschi alongside Alberto Gilardino, leaving out-of-form Ronaldo in the bench.
The Rossoneri will fancy their chances with opponents Livorno having struggled of late.
The Tuscan minnows have collected just one points in their last three games and last weekend's 1-1 draw against Genoa saw them drop to 15th in the standings, just three points clear of the drop zone.
Livorno president Aldo Spinelli was not impressed with his team's performance.
"Against Genoa we allowed our opponents to take the initiative," he said.
"Perhaps that is the approach to take when you play against top teams but not when you face a team like Genoa."
Livorno coach Giancarlo Camolese will have to do without suspended captain David Balleri, who will be replaced by Emanuele Filippini.
