Milan's acquisition of Ronaldinho from Barcelona in the offseason was seen as risky by some, considering his sliding form in Spain.

Plagued by injuries and visibly overweight, Ronaldinho scored only nine goals in 26 games for Barcelona last season, finishing his season in March.

He already has six goals in 13 appearances in all competitions this season. "Slowly but surely I'm getting back in form," Ronaldinho told Sky Italia. "Everything is working perfectly here."

Milan vice president Adriano Galliani has gotten tired of talk that the club has ‘won’ the wager it made by signing Ronaldinho.

"We don't make wagers. We take players we believe can serve Milan," Galliani said. "It's not like we've discovered a little kid."

On Sunday, Milan hosts struggling Chievo, which is only one point above last-placed Reggina. Midfielder Andrea Pirlo may make it onto the bench after sitting out since September with a muscle injury while injury-plagued defender Philippe Senderos - formerly of Arsenal - could make his Serie A debut for Milan.

Inter visits Palermo on Saturday, and striker Julio Cruz has earned the right to start by scoring an injury-time winner in a 1-0 win over Udinese last weekend, plus a late equalizer against Anorthosis in the Champions League last week.

Ricardo Quaresma appears to have fallen out of favor with coach and Portugese compatriot Jose Mourinho, as has Adriano, the troubled striker who cited a fever when he missed training again this week.

Palermo forward Fabrizio Miccoli bruised his leg in training this week but could still play, while midfielder Antonio Nocerino will begin a two-game ban for elbowing an opponent in the face.

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