As reported by the daily Turin-based newspaper, Tuttosport, in this morning's print edition, AC Milan is already on the brink in the Champions League race.
The tight and crowded standings leave no room for error. When play resumes, the big match at San Siro against Juventus will be crucial.
Although Milan still has a match to make up against Bologna, they’re forced to play catch-up.
It’s essential to remember that seven points separate them from Champions League qualification, and on Saturday, November 23, when play resumes, the Rossoneri will host Juventus in a match that already looks like a do-or-die battle for a spot in Europe’s top competition.
Failure is not an option. A loss would push Milan ten points behind the Champions League zone. A reaction is needed, especially as the team appears tactically fragile. The defense concedes too many goals, canceling out the work done by the attack.
Under Pioli, the team was often unbalanced, but with the former coach, Milan defended man-to-man; thus, issues arose if one player failed to defend. Now, the entire system isn’t moving correctly, and gaps open up all the same. Intervention is necessary because, like it or not, in Serie A, the team that concedes fewer goals usually wins.
Without a solid defence, the chase for a Champions League spot and the revenue it brings is like scaling the Himalayas. Fonseca's Milan can’t afford this, especially not as early as the end of November.
