Inter, currently six points clear of second place Juventus, are aiming to extend their eight-match winning streak and preserve their unbeaten home status this weekend.

And Cesar wants them to continue that form into the new year.

"At this point it is very important that we restart the championship on the right foot," the Brazilian told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I believe the hardest game is often the first one of the new year, for us the game against Cagliari on Saturday,"

Inter have a mouthwatering Champions League tie against Manchester United next month, but Cesar insists the Nerazzurri are not allowing that to distract them from their domestic duties.

He added: "We are only thinking of doing well this weekend. The Champions League is still a long way off and for now we want to do well in the league and the Coppa Italia.

"Our group has learnt to win everything for which it is playing. We have picked up the taste of success step after step."

Nerazzurri coach Jose Mourinho will be without injured midfielder Patrick Vieira and suspended defender Maicon at the San Siro, while strikers Adriano and Mario Balotelli have also been omitted from the Portuguese coach's squad.

However, Mourinho has insisted Adriano is being rested to play against Genoa in the Coppa Italia on Tuesday, while speculation mounts that Balotelli will be sent out on loan.

Youngster Davide Santon is expected to make his Inter debut as he fills in for Maicon at right-back.

Cagliari coach Massimiliano Allegri has stressed his side are fully prepared for their difficult trip to Milan this weekend.

The Isolani have a poor record on the road this season, having lost six of eight games played away from the Sant'Elia, something Allegri will be keen to amend during the second half of the season.

"The first game after the winter break is like the last one before Christmas," Allegri told club website www.cagliaricalcio.net.

"There is a tendency to give up without realising it. Over the past two weeks we have recharged our batteries regardless of what type of match we are expecting.

"Our position in the table is good. However, we are well aware a few blank results would be enough for us to slide right back down into danger.

"We have 21 points on the board but have still not achieved anything. We are entering a period in which we must make sacrifices.

"Inter are a massive side, both on a technical and physical scale. A player such as (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic can make the difference in an instant."

Allegri is hampered this weekend by the suspensions of key defensive duo Paolo Bianco and Diego Lopez. Davide Astori and Michele Canini will fill in as they play together at the back for the first time.

Some good news for the Rossoblu is that key striker Robert Acquafresca, currently owned by Inter Milan, has overcome the flu and is fit to face his parent club.