AC Milan needed to win to keep the Scudetto race alive against Parma on Sunday, but instead their unbeaten run was ended.
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As Corriere dello Sport (via MilanNews) write this morning, the game against Parma should have been a chance for Milan to show that they are fully over their hoodoo against teams in the bottom half, and to keep pace with Inter after their win on Saturday.
Instead, we are talking about the Nerazzurri running away, with Christian Chivu’s men now holding a 10-point lead. The defeat against the Gialloblu was a double blow: it also ended the Rossoneri’s 24-game unbeaten streak.
An unwelcome coincidence
Just like in 1993, it’s once again the Emilian side who have ended Milan’s unbeaten streak. Back then, it was 58 games, this time 24. The most substantial difference is that, despite Asprilla’s free-kick 23 years ago, the Diavolo still won the Scudetto.
Today, we’re talking about a different, far more complicated situation. We’re talking about a Milan team that finds itself 10 points behind Inter. Sure, there’s still a derby to play and other matches, but it’s clear the gap is considerable.
Everything went wrong for Milan: the first signs came just before kick-off when Matteo Gabbia was forced to withdraw due to muscle discomfort. Then there was the Ruben Loftus-Cheek collision that saw him leave in a neck brace, and of course some now-routine VAR drama for the winner.
Rafael Leao hit the inside of the post then the ball rolled across the line and away to safety. That was the highlight for an attack that failed to penetrate enough and a defence that was punished at the last minute with a lapse from a set piece.
It was a lacklustre performance on a hazy evening that failed to restore Milan’s certainties after Como. Without Massimiliano Allegri on the bench, the fleet seemed to abandon ship. Now, the Rossoneri cannot collapse and must secure a top four spot.