Four years ago, around this time, Reggio Emilia was a late-season mirage where the league title could be celebrated. Four years later, Reggio Emilia is the reality where a return to the Champions League can be secured. Milan need only 6 points for mathematical qualification to next year’s competition, though even fewer might suffice.
Sassuolo–Milan: from the 2022 title to the 2026 Champions match point
On 22 May 2022, Pioli's Rossoneri faced Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium with the chance to return to the top of Italian football after 11 years. It was a special day in which the Diavolo were playing for everything alongside their city rivals Inter. The outcome is well known. This time, the Mapei Stadium will not be the final reckoning, but it could become one. Milan are chasing three points that would take them to 70 in the table, the second-best tally since the title-winning season (the best being 75 in 2023/24). A total that would still not guarantee mathematical certainty, unless…
If Como and Roma are held…
Today’s Como–Napoli (18:00) will already provide the first indications. Como are on 61 points and have an inferior head-to-head record against the Rossoneri. Therefore, any slip-up from now until the end would favour the Diavolo and lower the minimum required tally. The same applies to Roma, who are playing on Monday evening at the Olimpico against Fiorentina. To celebrate Champions League qualification at home as early as this weekend, the required combination of results is: a Milan win, and defeats for both Como and Roma. Difficult, but not impossible, as relayed via Milan Press.
