Rome, Nov 3: AC Milan has already won four straight in Serie A and now the Italian champion has something extra to play for.
The Rossoneri want to show their unity and support for forward Antonio Cassano, who is slated for heart surgery after suffering from stroke-like symptoms following the team's win over Roma last week.
Having rallied to within two points of league leader Juventus, Milan hosts Catania at the San Siro on Sunday.
Cassano already missed the 1-1 draw with BATE Borisov on Tuesday that qualified Milan for the next round of the Champions League.
After Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored against BATE, teammate Kevin-Prince Boateng celebrated by lifting his jersey to reveal another shirt with Cassano's name and No. 99 on it.
“I put it on because Cassano is like a brother to me,” said Boateng, who is suspended for two league matches for insulting the referee after getting sent off against Roma.
Cassano only joined Milan in January, but quickly became a key contributor in the Rossoneri's run to their first Serie A title in seven years. This season, as Milan struggled early on without injured forwards Robinho and Alexandre Pato, he has been an even bigger factor.
“We can't deny that the squad feels the psychological impact,” said Milan captain Massimo Ambrosini. “Antonio's condition has affected all of us. ... We all wish him the best of luck and hope he returns soon.”
With Robinho back, he and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will anchor Milan's attack for now, while Pato is expected to return from a thigh injury after the upcoming break for national team fixtures.
Nineteen-year-old forward Stephen El Shaarawy could see some more playing time in Cassano's absence, as could 38-year-old striker Filippo Inzaghi.
But with Cassano expected to be out from four to six months, Milan will likely try to sign another forward during the January transfer window, with the Gazzetta dello Sport reporting that Juventus reserve and former Italy striker Luca Toni is on top of the wish list.
Juventus, the only remaining unbeaten squad, faces a tough test this weekend at Napoli, which gave Bayern Munich a scare in a 3-2 Champions League loss Wednesday.
Having failed to qualify for Europe this season, Juventus has the luxury of not playing many midweek matches and has had all week to regain its composure after an emotional 3-2 win over Inter Milan.
A large part of Juve's success has been attributed to new coach Antonio Conte, a former midfielder with the club who has the squad playing much more physically than in recent seasons.
“He's surprised me,” said Pavel Nedved, another former Juve midfielder, who is now among the club's management members.
“I knew he was good, but I didn't think he was this well prepared,” Nedved told the Gazzetta. “His character and will to win rubs off and he's also doing quite well tactically.”
Udinese and Lazio, which are each just one point off the lead, play Siena and Parma respectively this weekend. Both clubs were also playing in the Europa League on Thursday.
Also this weekend, Fiorentina coach Sinisa Mihajlovic and Roma manager Luis Enrique are facing fan pressure to win.
Fiorentina plays at Chievo Verona and Roma visits newly promoted Novara.
Inter, which is hovering just one point above the relegation zone, visits Genoa, which has announced that ticket sales from the match will go to relief for nearby coastal towns struck by recent floods and mudslides.
Newly hired coach Daniele Arrigoni makes his debut for last-place Cesena against Lecce.
Also this weekend, Palermo hosts Bologna and Atalanta faces Cagliari.
