The Warm-up: Milan pose timely test of Giallorossi's growing ambition

After securing three straight league wins - scoring 10 goals in the process - the Giallorossi head for a real test of their credentials in Lombardy on Sunday.

Both them and AC Milan have big ambitions for the campaign - and victory at San Siro will go a long way in stoking those growing fires ahead of the latest international break. Can Roma continue their good form, or will the step up in class provide additional complications?

The pre-match reading

• Eusebio Di Francesco's pre-match press conference in full
• El Shaarawy ready to face old side
• S quad list: Moreno back, but Defrel and Perotti out
• View from the Opposition: The report on AC Milan
• M ontella's View: Five key answers from his press conference

The form guide

AC Milan return to league action after a narrow 3-2 win over Rijeka in the Europa League in midweek. That win over the Croatian team - secured in the last minute - will have restored some confidence after two recent Serie A losses for Vincenzo Montella's men - against Lazio and Sampdoria.

Those were the first dropped points of the campaign for the Rossoneri, who have 12 points this term.

Roma are on the same points total, albeit with a game in hand after their own away trip to Sampdoria was postponed due to treacherous weather conditions. The Giallorossi have won their last three league games on the spin - against Hellas Verona (3-0), Benevento (4-0) and Udinese (3-1).

On Wednesday they added a first Champions League away win in seven years to that run with a 2-1 success against Qarabag in Azerbaijan.

They have enjoyed an extra day's rest to their opponents this week - although how much of an impact will the cumulative 10 hours of travel have on players' bodies?

Team news

Roma are still without forward Patrik Schick and full-backs Nura Abdullahi and Rick Karsdorp, who are working their way back to full fitness after recent issues.

Centre-back Hector Moreno skipped the Qarabag match after suffering a slight knock in training but is back in for this one, while both Gregoire Defrel and Diego Perotti miss out after suffering similar thigh problems during the trip to Baku.

As a result, young forward Mirko Antonucci has been added to the travelling party.

Milan will be without Luca Antonelli and Andrea Conti, who both have longer-term injury problems - but both Davide Calabria and Riccardo Montolivo returned to training this week and could be selected.

Hakan Calhanoglu is the biggest injury concern for Montella, however, with the Turkey international likely to be evaluated on the day over his chances of participation.

The view from the dugout

Vincenzo Montella: "“I sense something has changed and I think we're on track now. Our third goal against Rijeka was important because it shows how much desire we have and how hard we're prepared to work. We're playing with pride and grit and that's exactly what we were missing.

“Roma have only lost one game and they're phenomenal in attack. We want this fixture to be a head-to-head for the top spots - something that doesn't happen often."

Eusebio Di Francesco: “I think we'll learn a lot from this game. It won't decide anything either way but it's important we stay up near the top of the table. Roma have changed playing philosophy and with time, hard work and good results we've grown in confidence.

"I hope that will help us tomorrow. AC Milan have changed a lot but they've brought in top quality players with a strong mentality.”

Opposition danger man

LEONARDO BONUCCI

With this new Milan project enduring its first period of adversity in recent weeks, the finger of blame has quickly been pointed at arguably the club's most headline-grabbing signing of the summer - Leonardo Bonucci.

The arrival of the Italy international from Juventus was supposed to bring back the glory days of Milan's impenetrable backline, but the defeats to Sampdoria and Lazio saw Bonucci and his fellow defenders fail to cover themselves in glory.

While it is surely an over-reaction to pin everything on Bonucci - even the best players require an adjustment period - it is not wrong to assume the man himself has been somewhat stung by the criticism.

Edin Dzeko has enjoyed profitable days against the Rossoneri in recent times - Bonucci will feel if he can keep him quiet on Sunday night he will send a similar message to journalists at the same time...

Roma's one to watch

RADJA NAINGGOLAN

If Bonucci has every reason to be motivated for Sunday's game, then surely so too does Radja Nainggolan.

Left out of the Belgium squad once again, the all-action midfielder will surely see this game as an opportunity to send a timely reminder of his formidable quality.

Nainggolan enjoyed great times at San Siro last season - memorably scoring two thumping goals against Inter Milan - and will surely be relishing the challenge of making an impression against Milan's five-man midfield.

Possible line-ups

Di Francesco will have to make at least one change from Wednesday's win over Qarabag - Gregoire Defrel is injured - but his commitment to rotation will likely see him make at least a couple of more.

Kevin Strootman and Federico Fazio could be among those likely to return, while perhaps Di Francesco's biggest decision will come in attack, and over who will replace Defrel in the side.

Diego Perotti is injured, meaning Alessandro Florenzi and Cengiz Under are the two likeliest candidates.

LAST ROMA XI (V. QARABAG): ALISSON; PERES, MANOLAS, J. JESUS, KOLAROV; PELLEGRINI, GONALONS, NAINGGOLAN; EL SHAARAWY, DZEKO, DEFREL.

Vincenzo Montella has pledged to commit to a three-at-the-back system, suggesting it offers his side the most options across the pitch.

"We'll stick with 3-5-2," he said at his pre-match press conference. "I think it's the best formation for us and we've settled into it now.

"I find it hard to imagine fielding the same line-up every game. I like to weigh everything up and pick the players best suited for each match.”

The fitness of Hakan Calhanoglu could force the coach to reshuffle slightly in midfield - with Giacomo Bonaventura coming in - while another big decision will come in attack, where the Europa League form of forward Andre Silva might have earned him a league starting spot.

POSSIBLE AC MILAN XI: Donnarumma; Romangnoli, Bonucci, Musacchio; Borini, Kessie, Bonaventura, Biglia, Rodriguez; Kalinic, Andre Silva.