An opportunity has presented itself to AC Milan after last night’s results, as they now just need one point to secure a Champions League place.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (as seen below) recall how Milan began the season in August aiming to defend their Scudetto and earn a second star, while 20 days ago they dreamed of the final in Istanbul, but both vanished.
Now the only remaining target is a top four spot, which is huge because of the money it brings into the accounts which keeps the budget in line and makes more resources available for the summer window.
Stefano Pioli knows how important it is that Milan not only get fourth place but also finish the season strongly. Only then will the relevant assessments be made.
“Maldini says that if we secure Champions League it will be an 8 out of 10 season? For me there is no vote until the end of the season: we can finish second or sixth,” he said.
Roma and Atalanta both then lost, which means that Milan need just a point in order to secure a return to European club football’s top competition for the third year in a row, even if Pioli suggested he was not paying much attention to those games.
“The results of the others will not change our approach. We know that we need a great performance against a high-level opponent, who have had a slightly better season than ours and a Champions League inferior to ours,” he said.
“The punishment against Juve? We all agree, the timing is not what you would like in a regular season. Removing and putting on is not good for anyone, we hope a better way can be found.”
Brahim’s future hangs by a thread, while for the present Pioli has no doubts and he is expected to field him as the playmaker tonight.
“He is strong, he has grown a lot even if he can still improve in the decision-making phase,” he said.
Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao, on the other hand, will be called to lead the attack. The Frenchman has scored against all the big sides – Inter, Napoli, Roma, Lazio – while at Milan, but not against Juve.
A goal tonight for Leao meanwhile would be the ideal aperitif for the toast of the renewal which will arrive in the coming days.
“Leao has everything to become one of the best in the world, but to become one you must be obsessed with improving. Rafa has it now,” Pioli said.
