Italy Soccer Zarate Forlan
Inter Milan Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan, right, controls the ball while his teammate Argentine forward Mauro Zarate looks on during a training ses...
Inter Milan Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan, right, controls the ball while his teammate Argentine forward Mauro Zarate looks on during a training session in Appiano Gentile, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. Inter Milan signed Argentine forward Mauro Zarate from Lazio, Inter paid euro 2.7 millions ($3.9 million) for Zarate on loan, and agreed to pay a further euro 15 millions for a permanent transfer. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Italy Soccer Forlan
Inter Milan Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan, center, controls the ball while his teammate Argentine forward Mauro Zarate, left and Argentine defender ...
Inter Milan Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan, center, controls the ball while his teammate Argentine forward Mauro Zarate, left and Argentine defender Walter Samuel look on during a training session in Appiano Gentile, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
San Marino Sweden Soccer EURO 2012
Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacts during the group E, EURO 2012 qualifying soccer match between San Marino and Sweden, at the Serravalle stadium, S...
Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacts during the group E, EURO 2012 qualifying soccer match between San Marino and Sweden, at the Serravalle stadium, San Marino, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Marco Vasini)
Defending champion AC Milan could face a stern test against Lazio when Serie A finally begins this weekend, after a strike postponed the scheduled start two weeks ago.
The players' association and the league signed a new temporary collective contract on Monday to end the players' protest.
Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has recovered from a slight ankle injury and says he is looking forward to playing with newly signed midfielders Alberto Aquilani and Antonio Nocerino.
Ibrahimovic said "we're still the favorites," and that "we're stronger than last season."
Milan beat Inter Milan 2-1 in the Italian Super Cup more than a month ago, and is in a hurry to get back into shape before opening the Champions League against titleholder Barcelona on Tuesday.
