QS: Schedule, Allegri and returns – three reasons Milan should believe in a Scudetto surge

First place is now eight points away, but AC Milan still have reasons to believe that they can challenge Inter all the way in the title race.

As Quotidiano Sportivo write this morning, the mountain to climb is steep, and the declared primary objective remains a Champions League spot. The temptation to push for the second star is there though, especially with only the league to think about.

At the moment, the Rossoneri are eight points behind with a game in hand. Between now and the derby scheduled for the weekend of March 8th, there’s room to try and catch up. For at least three reasons.

Why Milan should believe

The schedule, on paper, is favourable. The Rossoneri rested after scoring three goals in Bologna, and will have ‘only’ four games the derby: Pisa away, Como and Parma at home, then Cremonese away. Inter have six, including Juventus and a tricky two-legged play-off against Bodo-Glimt.

Experience could be key, too. So far, Cristian Chivu has managed to keep Inter at practically the highest levels in all competitions. Yet, Max is 58 years of age (13 years older) and knows a lot: 849 first-team matches as a coach compared to his colleague’s 52.

Photos: Marco Luzzani + Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images

Allegri has spent almost half of those (420) in a saddle that is not exactly comfortable for everyone: Juventus. At Milan he has 205. His trophy cabinet includes 16 titles, including a Serie C1 championship and a Supercoppa with Sassuolo. Allegri has been managing in Serie A since 2008.

He’s clearly demonstrating it, in words and in actions. Firstly, he deployed the 3-5-2 when almost everyone expected a front three. Allegri is getting the most out of a squad small in numbers, with the unbeaten run now at 22 games.

Last, but not least, an aspect that can give Milan an edge is players returning to top form. Rafael Leao has played only 16 of 23 league games due to injuries. Christian Pulisic has played the same number of games in Serie A. Niclas Füllkrug has a broken toe, Alexis Saelemaekers is out, as is Santiago Gimenez.

The goal is to have Leao, Pulisic and Saelemaekers back on Friday night for the game in Pisa. Gimenez could be back in just over one month too. This fresh energy in attack could see the Rossoneri move into another gear.