Milan: Serie A matches will be played this weekend, and that in itself is notable after last-minute talks averted a planned players' strike.
The players association agreed to cancel the strike following meetings with league officials on Tuesday, and a new collective contract is due to be signed shortly.
"We're finally starting to write the text of the agreement in black and white, then on Monday there is a league assembly when we will bring out the final text of the new contract," Serie A president Maurizio Beretta said on Thursday.
Italian league leader AC Milan plays at Bologna and second-place Lazio visits third-place Juventus on Sunday in the weekend's two biggest matchups, while European champion Inter Milan's match against Cesena has been postponed to January 19 since the Nerazzurri are heading to the Club World Cup.
Milan leads with 33 points, Lazio has 30 and Juventus and Napoli are level with 27 each.
Having already advanced, Milan was beaten 2-0 by Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday, a match that highlighted how much the Rossoneri rely on Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and how much the club is missing injured strikers Alexandre Pato and Filippo Inzaghi.
Getting his first start in nearly two months, Ronaldinho spearheaded the attack and failed to make an impact, and Robinho was also ineffective. Ibrahimovic came on as a substitute in the second half but couldn't inspire a lackluster attack.
"You can't replace Ibra. That wasn't Ronaldinho's position. He did some more or less good things, but when the squad plays at that level it's difficult for anyone to bring out their best," Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said.
With Inzaghi out for the season following knee surgery and Pato's return date from the latest in a string of muscle problems uncertain, Milan could decide to make another big-name signing in the January transfer window.
"The priority is getting Pato back, but if there's a chance to get a top-level striker the club will do so. And it would be better if it's someone who hasn't already played in the Champions League with another squad this year," Allegri said, alluding to the rule that limits players from performing with two different clubs in the competition in one season.
While there is speculation that Ronaldinho could decide to bolt for Major League Soccer in the United States, the Brazil forward maintains he is comfortable with Milan.
"I'm fine, I'm just trying to give my all and help Milan," he said. "I've been here for three years and this is the first time that we're in first place, so I'm happy."
Milan picked up another injury against Ajax when Mathieu Flamini was diagnosed with a strain in his right knee, which will likely keep the French midfielder out until January.
Bologna beat Chievo Verona 2-1 on Wednesday in a match that was made up from November due to a snowstorm. The win took Bologna to 13th in the table on 19 points after it was docked a point for tax offenses.
Juventus-Lazio pits two of the players in the best current form, with Fabio Quagliarella coming off a two-goal performance for Juventus and Hernanes having had a role in all three goals in a 3-1 win over Inter last weekend.
Also this weekend, it's: Palermo vs. Parma; Udinese vs. Fiorentina; Genoa vs. Napoli; Brescia vs. Sampdoria; Cagliari vs. Catania; Lecce vs. Chievo Verona; and AS Roma vs. Bari.
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