Last week's announced postponement of Milan-Como and Inter’s victory over Sassuolo have temporarily put Cristian Chivu’s Nerazzurri eight points ahead of Milan, who, however, have a game in hand. Is the title race over? Maybe not, or at least not entirely.
AC Milan faces the months of truth:
It’s true that, at this stage of the season, Inter understandably hold the edge in predictions, thanks to results, form, and squad depth, which is certainly more complete than AC Milan’s, but it’s equally true that a season can change dramatically between February and March. This isn’t new: these are precisely the months Massimiliano Allegri has repeatedly described as decisive since the first press conferences of the season. This is the time for maintaining cruising speed, maximum concentration, and total focus on the present, before planning the final sprint. In fact, from Serie A to the Saudi Pro League and many other competitions, these months often decide who truly dominates the table.
Valentine’s weekend, not coincidentally, did carry significant weight for the two San Siro teams. Allegri knew he cannot afford mistakes in Pisa, where the first-leg encounter ended in a bitter 2-2, before ideally settling on the couch to watch what happens in the big match between Inter and Juventus on Saturday night at the Meazza, which ended in a controversial 3-2 Inter win.
First the Champions League, then...
The real work, however, lies elsewhere: in making up for what wasn’t fully capitalized on in the first half of the season, the infamous matches against the “smaller” teams. Excluding Como in the midweek game on Wednesday the 18th, the schedule presented Pisa, Parma, and Cremonese. These are teams against which Maignan and company collected just two points in the first part of the season.
Four matches (including the one against Como which is set to be played tomorrow) become crucial for locking in a Champions League spot and, without excessive expectations, to see if there’s a chance to challenge the title favorites. Now, the Rossoneri already beat Pisa away from home 1-2 thanks to Luka Modric, and they must keep the momentum to win against Fabregas' side, Como.
Milan: Winning is Mandatory...
The match against Pisa was actually the first of four over roughly three weeks for the Rossoneri, who will then face Como, Parma, and Cremonese. Four very different matches, but all tricky, and they will likely reveal what this team is truly capable of.
Tomorrow, the Rossoneri seem obliged to win for several reasons. First, a victory would help dispel the ghosts of the first half of the season, in which they collected only two points against smaller sides like Parma, and Cremonese.
Second, a win would be very useful considering the upcoming weekend: league leaders Inter will face also face important teams after Juventus like Conte's third-placed Napoli will host fifth-placed Roma. Three points against Como would therefore be advantageous, at least for the Champions League race, and perhaps even more.
Finally, winning always helps build momentum, and the team will need a boost of positive energy in the coming matches to continue fighting for objectives, and to dream of something bigger.
Milan, watch out for pitfalls:
The pitfalls, however, are just around the corner: Como play attractive football and create danger under Fabregas and will not be easily overcome, so determination, focus, and precision will be essential.
The subsequent matches won’t be easy either, so concentration must remain at its highest. Tomorrow will say a lot, but generally, the next few weeks will as well. The hope is that the team doesn’t get caught up in complicated situations, which will inevitably arise now that the stakes are higher, writes Milan Press.
Head coach Massimiliano Allegri has always been a master at managing these moments, but in AC Milan’s history, there have often been collapses during the best moments.
