Stefano Pioli's AC Milan have finally ignited the engines. Once it was Pulisic, once it was Theo Hernandez, last night in Florence it was Rafael Leao who, thanks to his offensive creativity and mindset - despite La Viola's attempts to close him down - made Milan take off, as suggested this morning by Corriere della Sera, with an assist and a goal of a true champion.
Perhaps Milan took a bit too long, probably aimed for the big target (the title), but in the end, the Rossoneri 'took flight'. The performance last night against Fiorentina, as recalled by the Italian newspaper in this morning's print edition, is just the tip of the iceberg of a 2024 that Milan is playing at the pace of Inter. The Rossoneri have secured the sixth victory in six games in March, between the league and the Europa League, and have an ongoing streak of four league wins.
A march that has allowed the Rossoneri, in just a few weeks, to recover seven points on second-placed Juventus and stretch their lead to six points. Considering also the fourteen points ahead of fifth place, it can be said that if the Champions League spot is not sealed, at least now the Rossoneri will have to manage it.
Clearly, with such a performance, regrets may increase for what the Rossoneri threw away in November, when the gap with the league-leading Inter was created: just 2 points out of 12 against Juve, Napoli, Udinese, and Lecce.
Now, however, the season has gone this way, and Inter has built up such an advantage as to guarantee them serenity for the end of the season, also free from Champions League commitments.
Yet Milan, even without the trophy in sight, still has a lot to play for in these two months, and it is crucial to carry this form into the impending end of the season. The main focus, especially now that the second position, meaning Champions League qualification, seems safe, is the Europa League, as relayed via Milan News.
The Rossoneri will need two performances of great caliber against Roma in the quarter-finals: the goal is to win a trophy that is missing from the cabinet, even though besides Roma there are other very strong opponents. And then there will be the derby on April 22 followed closely by the away game against Juve: an April that may be quite telling for the Milan club and fans, perhaps even for the future.
