AC Milan will finish without a January win in Series A for the first time in 70 years after a 3-1 defeat to Lazio on Saturday which saw irate defender Philippe Mexes sent off in a bad-tempered finale.

Lazio's 10th win of the campaign moved Stefano Pioli's men up to third place, one point ahead of Napoli and Sampdoria and within 12 points of leaders Juventus ahead of their home game against struggling Chievo on Sunday.

Milan's crisis, meanwhile, deepened with the seven-time European champions dropping to 10th ahead of the rest of the weekend fixtures after their third reverse in four games.

Milan started the year with a 2-1 home defeat to Sassuolo and despite drawing away to Torino a week later Filippo Inzaghi's men have since conceded 1-0 at home to Atalanta before losing to Lazio on Saturday.

With their next league game at home to Parma on February 1, Milan are winless in the league in January for the first time since 1941, when the Rossoneri conceded one defeat and were held to three draws.

Worse, Milan could lose defender Mexes to suspension after the Frenchman saw red in the dying minutes after a series of altercations with Stefano Mauri.

Mexes reacted angrily when tripped by Mauri and minutes later had to be restrained by teammates having grabbed the Lazio captain around the throat.

The Frenchman was sent off but had to be dragged away from Mauri and pushed off the field.

When asked about Mexes, Inzaghi told Sky Sport: "Philippe has apologised for his gestures. I'm disappointed because he's facing a suspension."

Mexes also spoke to Sky Sport in a bid to ask forgiveness.

"When you make a mistake you have to face up to it and ask forgiveness from the club and the fans. I reacted badly, it's not a great example to show," he said.

"It's only a game of soccer and it shouldn't have reached such proportions. I'm the one who's at fault. That's all."