GdS: 1,440 minutes less – why Milan’s lighter schedule could be a big advantage

The theory is simple: AC Milan won’t play in the Coppa Italia or in Europe, an undeniable advantage in the race for the title.

In practice, how much does it shift things? What’s the real difference? La Gazzetta dello Sport write that Inter and Napoli – currently the main rivals for the title along with Roma – are still in the Coppa Italia and must complete the first phase of the Champions League.

Potentially, by May, they could play 25 more league games, 12 Champions League games, four Coppa Italia games, and two Supercoppa Italiana games. That’s 43 games in total in five and a half months. Milan will only play in the league and the Super Cup. Total: 27. That’s a 16-game difference if Inter and Napoli reach the end.

A day of difference

Sixteen games is something players feel in their legs. That’s three more games a month, a total of 1,440 minutes of football. Put another way: exactly 24 hours of difference.

In the coming months, Inter could end up playing 24 hours more than Milan, with logical consequences in terms of fatigue, injury risk, forced rotation and mental declines. It’s a different world, and recent seasons explain their advantage.

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Let’s take these three teams and add Juventus. 2024-25 season: Napoli 41 games played, Milan 55, Juve 55, Inter 63. 2023-24 season: Juve 43, Inter 49, Napoli 49, Milan 52. 2022-23 season: Napoli 49, Milan 52, Juve 56, Inter 57.

The Scudetto twice went to the team that played the least, once (Inter 2023-24) to the second team in that regard. Allegri almost always played with his starters. Conte rotated mostly out of necessity and introduced Neres and Lang after their injury-ridden season. Chivu has managed an expanded squad and will have to do so until spring.

Individual training is now commonplace, but the point remains: the more you play, the more you need to decipher your body’s messages to prevent stress – physical as well as mental – from impacting your performance.

The topic is complex, but one truth is clear: Allegri’s men could have 24 fewer hours on the pitch and many more options. If used well, they translate into points.