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AC Milan may be five points behind their city rivals Inter, but they can not and will not give up on their title dream.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) write, Milan rarely lose, and that’s their strength. Draws don’t win league titles – Massimiliano Allegri’s team have eight so far, the most among the top six – but their only defeat being in round one demonstrates Milan’s resilience and consistency,
Milan are methodical in their approach, and always focused on results, and they only have the league to contend with. They won’t waste energy or risk injuries elsewhere, in Europe or the Coppa Italia, and this is perhaps their most significant advantage.
Another detail: Allegri has won six league titles, five with Juventus and one with Milan. He knows how to manage critical moments and maximise positive periods. Chivu is his first experience as coach of a major club.
The opposite of Inter
Milan don’t attack their opponents or sway them with possession like Inter. They wait for the right opening and the right moment. Allegri’s style of football emphasises defensive focus, even though Gasperini’s Roma have conceded the fewest goals, and Roma have let in less.
Milan have conceded 17 goals, two fewer than Inter. It is a minimal difference, but significant in its own right. A small statistic explains Milan quite well, especially in light of the other night’s match in Rome. Among the top six, Allegri’s team boast the highest number of clearances: 22.4 on average per match. Como are just behind, with 21.2.
Luka Modric and co. have ‘cleaned Milan of last season’s impurities’. Modric hasn’t shone like he did at the start of the season these past few weeks – he’s 40, and it would be surprising if he hadn’t slowed down a bit – but the Rossoneri expect him to flourish soon.
Niclas Füllkrug has already shown he can get involved. Mike Maignan and Rafael Leao know what it takes to win the title having done so in 2021-22, but the Portuguese is struggling for his best form at the moment.
Unlike Inter, Milan has no obligation to win the Scudetto. Their goal was, and remains, a return to the Champions League. No one will blame Allegri for not winning this season, if anything they’ll do it next season.
Milan were not even expected to be second after 22 games: the top two positions were supposed to be a matter of debate between Inter and Napoli. Allegri has done well to close the gap, and this duel with Inter is a reward in itself. The pressure is on Inter, Milan simply needs to maintain their average.
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