Serie A

Carlo Ancelotti knows his side have to improve if they are to triumph in the top-of-the-table clash with Napoli on Sunday.

David Beckham's impending loan move to Milan might have stolen the headlines this week but all focus will now turn to the pitch and one of this weekend's mouth-watering ties.

Milan had a dismal start to the season but dramatic improvement which saw them win nine of their last 10 games has pushed them to third, a point and a place behind Napoli - who are behind Udinese only on goal difference.

Both teams have their eye on top spot and Ancelotti knows his side have to continue their good run.

"Even if we were to beat Napoli, there would still be doubts about our supremacy," he said on Saturday. "We have to improve, games like tomorrow's can give us more faith, and we need it.

"It's true that we've always won in the past few games, but we want to show that we have more strength than we have shown in the last few games and Napoli is the right club to show it against."

Last season's two games saw the teams produce 11 goals between them, with Milan trouncing Napoli 5-2 at the San Siro before capitulating 3-1 in May, but Ancelotti insists they are not motivated by revenge.

"The 5-2 in January gives us good feelings, we were the team that started well after the winter break," he continued. "For the 3-1 however, there will not be any sense of revenge, we know that this is another game and we want to play it as well as possible.

"We are more competitive this year compared to last year, the squad is more varied, we have the possibility to change things and for that reason we succeed in doing better even in the big matches.

"Napoli are a strong side, they can keep at you right up until the end."

Ancelotti has been boosted by the return of Ronaldinho while Kakha Kaladze faces a late fitness test and the Rossoneri boss is also sweating on the fitness of Paolo Maldini and Marco Borriello.

Alessandro Nesta and Philippe Senderos are definitely out as is long-term absentee Andrea Pirlo.

Napoli are well aware of just how difficult the trip to the San Siro will be and know that Sunday's match will be a true test of their quality.

The Rossoneri have only lost one game at home all season and the Partenopei, who have not even picked up a point in the San Siro since 1998, last won there 22 years ago.

But Napoli coach Edy Reja claims his side will play football in Milan and not just stick 11 men behind the ball.

"There's definitely not going to be any marking one of their players out the game," he said. "Who would you block when you are faced by Pato, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Inzaghi and also Borriello, Shevchenko and if one doesn't play the other will?

"Napoli have never used these tactics. Of course we have to have the forethought to limit the service to their attackers because these are deadly champions.

"If they have the ball and can strike at goal, they won't pardon you.

"Against Milan enthusiasm won't be enough. We have to try and play a game without errors, being attentive to our defence, and put our quality into the equation too. It will be a very intense match."

Reja has almost his full squad to choose from but will be without Uruguay striker Marcelo Zalayeta, who has nevertheless travelled to Milan to support his team-mates.