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Balotelli has scored four goals in his three Serie A matches since arriving from Manchester City, and Galliani has praised the Italian's displays.

"Balotelli inspires the other players, sort of like the Zlatan Ibrahimovic effect," he said.

"He gives strength, and his performances have a collateral effect on the others. His goals are proof we didn't just buy him for his media impact."

Milan, who currently lie third in Serie A following Friday's 2-1 win over Parma, next face Barcelona in the last-16 of the Champions League.

City's 3-1 loss to Southampton during the week saw them slip 12 points behind Manchester United in what may prove an almost fatal blow to their Premiership defence.

But Roberto Mancini's side responded in fine style with a 4-0 thrashing of Leeds on Sunday to advance to the FA Cup quarter finals.

Toure opened the scoring for Chelsea inside five minutes and the Ivory Coast star believes it was the perfect response to their defeat by Southampton.

"I think (we reacted well), because in the first half we played very well, giving pressure to Leeds," Toure told ESPN.

Lazio played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Borussia Moenchengladbach midway through last week in a match Petkovic described as simply 'crazy' but the boss has insisted that playing in European competition should be no excuse for poor domestic form.

Lazio, though, have been going through a tough run at home, having not won their last three Serie A matches to drop down to fourth on the Italian table, 11 points behind league leader Juventus.

Friday's result moved the Bavarians 16 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table over second-placed Borussia Dortmund, and the 67-year-old was quick to praise his victorious charges.

"We've demonstrated today that we're in great shape, we have a class team, and we're capable of breaking down any team that resists," he told Bayern's official website.

"The team we played today had their best game of the season.

"These are the games you have to be winning, the ones where it's not so easy."

Despite dominating the match with 67 percent possession, it took a 95th-minute penalty from Brazilian attacker Lima to secure the three points in front of their fans.

Drama ensued shortly after the winning strike with Academica defender Helder Cabral given a straight red, rounding out a horrible end for Pedro Emanuel's men.

With Porto winning 2-0 against Beira-Mar on Friday, Benfica needed to win to join the reigning Portuguese champions on top of the standings and now trail on goal difference alone.

Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has warned Arsenal that his side will not settle for a draw in their Champions League last-16 first leg tie at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

The Germany fullback has acknowledged that the Gunners will provide his team with a tough contest and is expecting Arsene Wenger's side to take a defensive approach to the game.

"Of course we're looking forward to the match," he told TZ. "Arsenal are an absolutely top-class opponent. We are going to travel to London now and lay the groundwork [for the second leg].