AC Milan officially back in Europe: What is required to seal Champions League return

AC Milan will return to playing in a European competition next season, as the results over the weekend confirmed.

The 0-0 draw against Juventus at San Siro on Sunday night has left a bittersweet feeling. On the one hand, it was a welcome clean sheet and another step towards the aim for the season, but on the other the team failed to score and take a big psychological step.

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Europe secured

As Calciomercato.com report, it’s now official: Atalanta’s defeat in Cagliari puts a 13-point gap between the Rossoneri – third with 67 points – and Atalanta, seventh with 54 points. With four games left and 12 points available, a return to Europe is confirmed.

Of course, what it means is that the UEFA Conference League has been secured, but that is not the major objective this season. What the Rossoneri really want is to be back in the biggest club competition: the Champions League. The equation to achieve that is quite simple, too.

To mathematically qualify for top four, Milan need six points out of a possible 12, assuming the chasing pack win all of their games. If they finish level on points with Roma or Como, the Rossoneri will be ahead in their head-to-head record.

The next matches will see the Diavolo face Sassuolo (away), Atalanta (home), Genoa (away) and Cagliari (home). Simply put, it is very much in the hands of Massimiliano Allegri and his team, who are in a great position compared to the one it looked like they might be a few weeks ago.

Of course, we must also monitor the situation linked to the investigation into referees in Serie A, amid talk that there could even be bans for Serie A clubs.