Ibrahimovic to miss Juventus clash

AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic controls the ball as Napoli's Salvatore Aronica watches during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

ROME - Italian giants AC Milan will see their striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic sidelined in the clash against league leaders Juventus on Feb 25, as the Swedish international was banned Monday for three Serie A matches.

The Swede, who has scored 15 goals this season and ranked second after Antonio Di Natale of Udinese in the Serie A scorers table, was sent off during Sunday's 0-0 draw with Napoli for slapping defender Salvatore Aronica's face in an off-the-ball incident.

The Rossoneri, who will appeal the ruling by the Italian League's Disciplinary Commission, will face Udinese, Cesena and Juventus in the next three Serie A games.

AC Milan are now one point behind Juventus and have played one more match than the leaders.

AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic leaves the pitch after receiving a red card during their Italian Serie A soccer match against Napoli at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Feb 5, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Ibrahimovic was banned twice for disciplinary incidents last season. He was forced to sit out two games for punching a defender in the stomach in his first ban and was banned for three matches for insulting a linesman.

Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri was also expelled Sunday, for excessive protesting in the 89th minute. He was given a warning and a   €3,000 ($3,977) fine.