AC Milan are set to launch Brazilian teen phenom Pato as they look to improve their dismal home record after the Christmas break.
The 18-year-old, a 22-million-euro signing from Internacional, has what it takes to help the Rossoneri get their first San Siro league win against seventh-placed Napoli Sunday night, captain Paolo Maldini believes.
''He's very strong technically and can shoot with either foot in a few seconds,'' Maldini told reporters.
In spite of Pato's youth and apparently slight frame (1.79cm, 71-kg), Maldini said he had been ''amazed'' by the Under-21 international's ''awesome physical strength''.
Pato, who scored 12 goals for Internacional last year, is likely to partner on-song Italy striker Alberto Gilardino in front of Clarence Seedorf and European Footballer of the Year Kaka'.
The original 'Phenomenon' and Milan's third Brazilian striker, Ronaldo, could get his first start in months - but only from the bench.
Milan are languishing in mid-table, 25 points behind runaway leaders Inter.
Inter, who have surged ahead despite an injury crisis that would have crippled a lesser squad, are again without France's Patrick Vieira, Portugal's Luis Figo and Serbia's Dejan Stankovic as they visit the Siena ground where they clinched the scudetto last year.
Honduras striker David Suazo is also out with a thigh strain so the onus will once more be on Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Argentina's Julio Cruz whose combined total of 19 goals from 17 games has helped put the Nerazzurri on 43 points, seven points clear of Roma and eight ahead of Juventus.
Siena lies 29 points below, in the third relegation berth.
Roma will be looking to well-rested skipper Francesco Totti to secure a win at eighth-placed Atalanta while Juve may field long-injured Portugal midfielder Tiago at tenth-placed Catania.
Udinese, in fourth spot six points behind Juve, travel to bottom club Cagliari while fifth-placed Fiorentina visit Parma, in joint 12th slot along with Lazio and Milan (which has three games in hand, however).
Sixth-placed Palermo, who have changed coaches after dropping out of the Champions League zone, travel to Sampdoria, four points below them in joint ninth.
Lazio host 11th-placed Genoa and Torino, in 15th position, welcome Livorno, a place below them.
Empoli, a point above the relegation zone, gets the weekend action going on Saturday afternoon against second-from-last Reggina.
