GdS: Milan accumulate early edge in head-to-head clashes – the top six compared

In the hunt for the Champions League places, the outcome of the six-pointers against direct rivals can make all the difference.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport write, winning head-to-head matches against the competition jostling for the top four spots in the table – those that qualify for the Champions League, and if there’s even a glimpse of the Scudetto, all the better – is important in many ways.

Not least, it’s a valuable insurance policy that can be used at the end of the season: if you finish level on points, a better head-to-head result equates to a better standing in the standings. It could be the difference between crossing the threshold of the top four or being left out.

After 11 games, it’s still too early to paint a realistic picture, but observing the direct clashes among the top six in the standings (the positions that grant access to European competition), we can begin to discern a trend where Milan are gaining an edge.

Rossoneri resurgence

Vincenzo Italiano’s Bologna have played three of these head-to-head clashes, with one win and two defeats. The victory came against the champions Napoli in the last round, while they lost to Roma and Milan. Average points per game: 1.

Inter have also played three such matches. They were beaten 4-3 in a thriller against Juventus and they lost away against Napoli, but more recently beat Roma away from home. They also average 1 point per game.

Photos: Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Napoli too have played three games against sides in the top six. They lost to Milan despite playing for nearly an hour with a man advantage, they lost to Bologna and beat Inter as mentioned. The same 1 point per game average emerges.

Roma are joint-top with Inter and yet they two are on 1PPG. The defeats came by slender 1-0 margins against the two Milanese clubs, and their victory came against Bologna in round one, also by the same scoreline.

Juventus are on the outside looking in at the moment when it comes to the top four spots, but they average two points per game against top six sides. They have beaten Inter and they drew 0-0 with Milan, losing zero.

Finally we come to the Rossoneri, who have won three, drawn one and lost zero of their four ‘direct clashes’. The wins, as mentioned, were over Napoli, Roma and Bologna. The draw was against Juventus, and they have conceded just one goal, from the penalty spot scored by De Bruyne.