It was all going too well. After getting their Serie A campaign back on track and defeating Barcelona 2-0 in the first-leg of their round of 16 tie, AC Milan were sent tumbling out of the Champions League on Tuesday.
A 4-0 defeat to Barcelona was a crushing blow, but now the Rossoneri's attentions turn to qualifying for the tournament again next season via their domestic efforts.
Massimiliano Allegri's side sit in third spot in the table, three points ahead of Fiorentina in fourth, but will be without Nigel de Jong and Giampaolo Pazzini through injury, while Kevin Constant is suspended.
Palermo go into the game second from bottom and have injury concerns of their own. Abel Hernandez, Andrea Mantovani, Edgar Barreto and Andrea Dossena are all out of action, with the Rosanero in desperate need of stabilisation after a season that has witnessed five changes of coach.
AC Milan have won their last seven home games in Serie A.
Mario Balotelli (right) was ineligible for the Rossoneri's Champions League exit to Barcelona, but will boost his side by returning on Sunday.
There have been over 2.5 goals in each of Milan's last six games at San Siro.
Massimiliano Allegri's side have been winning at half-time and full-time in five of their last five home games in Serie A.
Palermo have drawn four of their last six games, losing the other two.
The Rosanero have struggled for goals and Fabrizio Miccoli remains the club's top goalscorer with a tally of just five.
