2 hours ago
4
AC Milan may be eight points behind Inter in the table, but they still believe that they can catch their city rivals and win the Scudetto.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) write this morning, Massimiliano Allegri will likely talk about a Milan team that cannot fail in its mission to return to the Champions League during his press conference today, on the eve of the rescheduled game against Como at San Siro.
Naturally, after last year’s eighth-place finish and a season out of European competitions, finishing in the top four has been the primary objective set since the summer. Max reminds us of this in practically every interview he does.
The standings show the Rossoneri as Inter’s only rivals. By beating Cesc Fabregas’s team, Milan would return to within five points of top. They would have a six-point advantage over Napoli in theird, nine over fourth-placed Roma, and a whopping ten over fifth-placed Juventus.
In short, Allegri could already begin to glimpse qualification for next season’s Champions League on the horizon. At that point, who knows, even he might even flirt (publicly) with the idea that the Scudetto can be won.
Added motivation
Of course, everyone at Milanello was hoping that Inter would drop points in Saturday’s heated game against Juventus. Zielinski’s goal, however, kept the gap unchanged right at the end. Yet, regardless of the result, Inter-Juve confirmed to Milan that ‘it can be done’.
Why? First of all, the Nerazzurri showed their usual difficulties in big matches. While it’s true that Chivu’s team has collected 12 wins and a draw in the last 13 games, thus creating a gap, it shouldn’t be forgotten how they were held to a draw by Napoli at home.
Without the controversial Kalulu-Bastoni episode and the Frenchman’s subsequent dismissal, the doubt remains whether they would have beaten Juve either. On the weekend of March 8th, Milan play the Derby della Madonnina at home, having already defeated their cousins in the first leg.
A win in the direct clash would at least make a comeback within reach. Provided, of course, that Milan defeat Como at San Siro tomorrow, and then also beat Parma and Cremonese in the games that follow.
Fatigue factor?
While the Rossoneri will face Fabregas, Inter will be involved in the first leg of the Champions League playoff in Norway against Bodo. The Nerazzurri will play five games between now and Milan-Inter, compared to just three for the Diavolo.
In addition to the league and the Champions League, there’s also the Coppa Italia, with the first leg of the semi-final against Como. If Chivu’s team were to advance in Europe, they would play practically twice a week, while Allegri’s men will be able to focus their efforts solely on the Scudetto race.
This advantage already proved decisive in the head-to-head against Antonio Conte’s Napoli last season, sapping precious energy from Simone Inzaghi’s team and rewarding the Azzurri. Back then, Inter reached the final in Munich, but they didn’t win any of the trophies they were in for.
This time, there’s the immediate obstacle of Bodo to overcome, with an away match not to be underestimated, especially given the weather conditions. The Nerazzurri will go from temperatures below freezing tomorrow to temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius in Lecce expected on Saturday.
Recoveries and returns
Besides hoping for some (necessary) slip-ups from the league leaders, Milan also have reasons to look to the future with confidence at home. In Pisa, Allegri’s team broke the taboo of the newly-promoted teams, finally managing to earn all three points.
They did so while only being able to count on star players – Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic – for a short time. The two forwards’ physical problems have been lingering for weeks if not months, but sooner or later the Rossoneri are confident they’ll see Rafa and Captain America back at their best.
It would be a great boost of energy and confidence, perhaps even crucial in their pursuit of the title. It shouldn’t be forgotten that the 53 points obtained in 24 rounds were earned while often having to play without their two most impactful talents, in an attacking sense.
In short, Milan still have untapped potential so they can grow and improve. So, despite Max’s low profile in his press statements, there are every reason to believe in a comeback. Inter permitting.
English (US) ·