AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato insists the Serie A leaders can keep their title bid alive during Zlatan Ibrahimovic's three-match suspension.
Ibrahimovic will miss the forthcoming league clashes with Palermo, city rivals Inter and Fiorentina after being sent off against Bari for hitting out at defender Marco Rossi, although the club have vowed to appeal the ban.
The Sweden striker is a crucial component in Milan's bid to wrest the title from Inter, but Pato is confident he and fellow forward Antonio Cassano can fill the void.
"Ibrahimovic is obviously very important for us," the Brazil international told Corriere dello Sport.
"His absence is a great loss for us. However, we have some great champions who have what it takes to play very well.
"I get along very well with Cassano. I've been wanting to play with him for quite a while and will now get the chance to do so. I'm very happy about that.
"I just want to play, be that with Ibrahimovic or without him."
