AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has decided to replace the suspended Mario Balotelli with Alessandro Matri for this afternoon's Serie A clash with AC Chievo Verona.

Matri has been favoured to lead the line ahead of Robinho, who started in the midweek Champions League defeat to Barcelona but has to settle for a place on the bench today.

Kaka will play just off Matri, while Philippe Mexes is restored in central defence after serving a four-game domestic ban for striking Giorgio Chiellini.

Chievo have stuck with the side that ended a six-game losing streak with a draw at Bologna on Monday, picking Cyril Thereau to play in attack with Alberto Paloschi, who comes up against his parent club today.

Chievo: Chievo: Puggioni; Frey, Dainelli, Cesar; Sardo, Radovanovic, L.Rigoni, Pamic, Estigarribia; Paloschi, Thereau

Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Zapata, Mexes, Emanuelson; Poli, Montolivo, De Jong, Muntari; Kaka; Matri