The Champions League race has heated up, with many teams vying for three spots at the top of the table behind Napoli. AC Milan, based on their schedule, could potentially earn important points following their disappointing draw with Roma. Against Roma, Stefano Pioli's team lacked a good approach to the game, which has been a recurring issue, and their lack of conviction in the offensive phase caused the Rossoneri to struggle.
With the last-minute draw on Roma's turf, Milan reaches 57 points in the standings, right in the middle of the tumultuous Champions League battle with Inter, Roma, Lazio, and Atalanta. The numbers, which have always favoured Pioli during his tenure with the Rossoneri, make one raise an eyebrow in this 2023 Serie A season. In the new year, Milan has only collected 24 points in 17 league matches, with a less than stellar average of 1.41 points per game. A rapid change of course is urgently needed to finish the season.
If Milan can continue to dream of the Istanbul final and a place in the Champions League, they owe it in part to Rafa Leao: the Portuguese player is the most important player on the team and demonstrated this against Roma when he assisted Saelemaekers' goal. As reported by Il Corriere dello Sport newspaper, Leao has participated in 19 goals in the league, equaling the number of participations registered throughout last season's Serie A campaign.
