From kryptonite to elixir: How Milan’s record in six-pointer games has transformed

AC Milan are the kings of Serie A at the moment when it comes to games against their rivals for the top four spots.

Milan remain unbeaten in what the Italian media call ‘head-to-head matches’ this season and lead the league in this regard. It is certainly a far different story compared to last season, when they were hopeless against their rivals.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side currently have 35 points in the standings after 17 league games. The Rossoneri have won six of their eight head-to-head matches so far this season, with two draws and no defeats.

Milan have thus far beaten Napoli, Fiorentina, Bologna, Inter, Lazio and Roma in the six-pointers thus far in 2025-26. All of these wins came by one goal too, showing that they really are edging the direct clashes with some defensive resilience.

The two draws came against Atalanta and Juventus, both away from home. The fact that they are yet to lose against one of last season’s top nine sides speaks volumes regarding the mentality that Allegri has instilled.

A comparison

Looking at 2024-25 – under Paulo Fonseca until the new year and then Sergio Conceicao – a remarkable transformation is evident.

In head-to-head games in the last campaign, Milan took a meagre 11 out of 48 points available, which is an average of just 0.69 points per game.

1. Napoli: average points 1.88  (30 points out of 48)
2. Atalanta 1.69  (27 out of 48)
3. Fiorentina 1.62  (26 out of 48)
4. Bologna 1.31  (21 out of 48)
5. Inter 1.31  (21 out of 48)
6. Juventus 1.19  (19 out of 48)
7. Lazio 1.12  (18 out of 48)
8. Rome 1.12  (18 out of 48)
9. Milan 0.69  (11 out of 48)

Looking at the league panorama this season, Milan have taken 83% of points available against sides also in the top five. Only Napoli are close with 75% then Juventus are on 58%, Inter on 25% and Roma without a point against any of the teams above them.

So, the Rossoneri are great in the ‘six-pointer’ games against the sides around them, but the other side of the coin is the points that they have left on the table against teams they should be beating easily on paper.

The Cremonese defeat in round one plus the draws against Pisa, Parma and Sassuolo led to the media even speaking about a hoodoo against the smaller teams, one the Verona win will hopefully help them shake off.