Serie A champions AC Milan suffered a slip-up at the start of a tough series of games that continues Sunday with a home game to Napoli.
The second-placed Rossoneri lost 2-0 Wednesday at Lazio, suffering a fourth season defeat.
The result allows unbeaten leaders Juventus a chance to raise their one-point lead when they play a game at Parma that was cancelled Tuesday due to a heavy snowfall.
Snow and cold on Wednesday also forced the cancellation of Atalanta v Genoa, Bologna v Fiorentina and Siena v Catania, leaving sports authorities scrambling for alternative dates in the season’s packed calendar.
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said after the Lazio meltdown that “also when we won lately we did not have the grit needed to win the league.
“We lost two similar games with Inter and Lazio. Two similar games with mistakes made due to lack of attention and grit. This is how I see this defeat, which, however, we did not deserve.”
After Napoli late Sunday, a gruelling February schedule awaits Milan, with a league and cup date with Juventus, a visit to Udinese and a Champions League round of 16 tie with Arsenal.
Probably worried by the intense agenda, Milan vice president Adriano Galliani asked for a postponement of the game at the Giuseppe Meazza, claiming that chilly temperatures are forecast for the weekend in northern Italy.
His plead, however, seems to have little sense after a thrilling 4-4 draw that Inter Milan and Palermo played out late Wednesday in the same stadium in heavy snowfall.
The cold aside, Juventus should have fewer problems as they welcome struggling Siena in earlier Sunday action. Udinese, now two points behind Milan, look to retain third place as they visit Fiorentina.
In-form Lazio hope to have their German striker Miroslav Klose back when they visit Genoa at noon Sunday. Crosstown rivals Roma welcome Inter Milan late Saturday.
Cesena and Catania open the 22nd round of games earlier Saturday, while other Sunday action features Palermo v Atalanta, Chievo v Parma, Lecce v Bologna and Novara v Cagliari.
