Giorgio Chiellini is urging his Juventus team-mates to build on win over Chelsea

Giorgio Chiellini: Looking to build on win over Chelsea

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini is urging his team-mates to carry the momentum from a memorable victory over Chelsea into Sunday night's trip to the San Siro.

The Bianconeri are on the verge of clinching a place in the last 16 of the Champions League after cruising to a 3-0 win over European champions Chelsea this week.

The game took a lot out of Juventus vice-captain Chiellini, though, and the 28-year-old is facing a race against time to be fit to face struggling AC Milan.

He told Gazzetta.it: "The match against the English was the most important game of the season so far.

"We knew we could not afford to go wrong and we played a great game.

"The downside of a win like that is that you can only enjoy it for one night, because then you have to start thinking about the next game, especially when that game is against AC Milan.

"We have to use the experience of the Chelsea game in the right way because it would be a serious mistake to relax now. That's something you can never afford to do against Milan.

"It will be an extremely intense game, between two highly motivated sides that want to win. I'm struggling a bit but it's only fatigue. Without taking too many risks, I will do everything I can to be there."

The Italy international has identified the Azzurri's latest star, Stephan El Shaarawy, as the man he will be marking should he play on Sunday night.

El Shaarawy notched his 10th goal in all competitions against Anderlecht this week, with Chiellini noting: "He is the revelation of the season.

"We could all see his potential last year, though. Now he is scoring a lot of goals and becoming a key player for Milan. In addition to his technical quality he has the right attitude and he wants to show what he can do."

Juventus deposed the Rossoneri as Serie A champions in 2011, and Milan's star has certainly fallen a long way since they secured 3-0 wins both at home and away in the 2009-10 season.

Fast forward two years and Juve top the table with 32 points, 17 more than Milan, who are languishing in 12th place.

Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato, who has revealed his dissatisfaction over his current part-time role at the San Siro, will sit out Sunday's clash with a muscle problem.