Milan, who visit Siena this Sunday, have won all 10 of their matches at the San Siro but away from home they have suffered five defeats.

"We play in a certain way at home, more relaxed, more confident," said the 23-year-old midfielder whose team's travel sickness has seen them slip to third place, two points behind Inter Milan and 10 adrift of leaders Juventus.

"Away from home we have been too tense and we have to overcome this. At home we have been formidable and if we can bring that same consistency to our away performances, we can put some real pressure on Juventus."

On Wednesday the two Milan clubs made gains on Juventus, who were surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw at Chievo. Milan edged Ascoli 1-0 and their city rivals Inter defeated relegation-threatened Treviso by the same score.

"Theres still a chance we can close the gap," said AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti after Filippo Inzaghi's fourth-minute goal brought the number of home victories into double figures.

"We must train hard and worry only about ourselves. All we can do is keep winning and hope Juve drop points here and there. You never know what might happen."

Inter have even more reason to be optimistic having cut Juve's lead to eight points.

"Everything is possible," said their Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron ahead of Saturday's home match against Palermo.

"Juventus are in a very strong position, but it only takes one or two bad results to dent a team's confidence. If that should happen to them, we have to be ready to take advantage."

Inter will be gunning for revenge against Palermo having lost 3-2 in Sicily earlier in the season.

Juventus, the reigning champions, should have few problems this weekend at home to Empoli.

Empoli have never won in Turin, with five defeats and a draw at the Delle Alpi stadium, and they were thrashed 4-0 when they hosted Juventus back in September.

Fourth-placed Fiorentina, beaten 3-1 at Sampdoria on Wednesday, host struggling Messina while Livorno, in fifth position, entertain bottom club Treviso.

Roma, champions in 2001, will be aiming for their fifth successive win when they visit Udinese, although there is injury concern over captain captain Francesco Totti. Totti is suffering the after-effects of a twisted left ankle and is undergoing intensive treatment by the club's medical staff.