AC Milan vs Chievo preview - Seedorf issues Milan challenge

Head coach Clarence Seedorf has been reassured by improving results but is now demanding his AC Milan players go after Chievo with "greater force".

Three straight Serie A defeats plunged the Rossoneri into the bottom half of the table, where they remain in 12th, but last weekend's draw at Lazio and an impressive 2-0 victory at Fiorentina on Wednesday have stopped the rot.

Another positive result - this time at the expense of relegation-threatened Chievo, who languish in 16th place - could see Milan climb to as high as ninth place depending on other results.

Seedorf knows the Flying Donkeys are fighting for their lives and will not roll over, and therefore needs to see the 18-time Italian champions assert their authority at San Siro.

He told acmilan.com: "The last two games we've been involved in have been very important and we have to remember that at certain points this season we've not picked up the points we deserved.

"It's clear that when results weren't good then certain things weren't working, but now we've reacted well and with courage to improve a lot in the games against Lazio and Fiorentina.

"But tomorrow we have to go after the three points with greater force.

"These last two game have given us such a morale boost and the team needed those results to unlock their energy.

"We must keep playing with that same team spirit."

A key element in Milan's mini-revival has been mercurial striker Mario Balotelli who, after being benched at Lazio following a run of insipid performances, set up Philippe Mexes' opener at Fiorentina before scoring himself.

Seedorf is now urging his "maturing" forward to add to his 12-goal tally at Chievo's expense.

The Dutchman added: "After the Fiorentina game I congratulated Balotelli because he was involved in both goals and gave a little more than he usually does across 90 minutes.

"He behaved well with the referee too, and that shows he is maturing.

"If he can continue producing that kind of performance than we will all be very happy."

Injuries abound at San Siro with Stephan El Shaarawy, Mattia De Sciglio, Riccardo Montolivo and Ignazio Abate all crocked while Mexes and Kevin Constant serve suspensions on Saturday night.

Chievo's Roberto Guana is struggling for fitness while his fellow midfielder Luca Rigoni will serve a one-match ban.

The Gialloblu took a huge step towards beating the drop by beating fellow strugglers Bologna 3-0 last time out.

Boss Eugenio Corini said: "If we keep playing this way then we'll achieve our goal. We approached this big game well and put the Bolognesi in big trouble.

"I liked the competitive aggression the team showed and it was clear we wanted all three points.

"This performance has been coming - there is a great desire to stay in the top flight."