An intriguing schedule awaits [Newsletter]

Mar 06, 2024

After three consecutive games without a win, AC Milan bounced back in the strangest (or perhaps craziest) way possible against Lazio last week. With the confidence boost from that game, which was indeed the result despite the lacklustre performance, an intriguing schedule now awaits the Rossoneri. Dare we expect another unbeaten run ahead of the big derby in late April?

It was a very special evening underneath the floodlights at Stadio Olimpico, with Milan coming out on top thanks to Christian Pulisic’s unknowing perseverance, Lazio’s hot-headedness and the super-sub cameo of Noah Okafor. The performance was far from great, let’s be honest, but at least Milan got back to winning ways and thus collected some crucial confidence.

Considering the upcoming schedule, the win was essential as the Rossoneri now could gain some serious momentum. The two legs against Slavia Praha will not be a walk in the park, don’t get us wrong, but Stefano Pioli and his men have a great opportunity to rack up some positive results here. And with the nine-game unbeaten run in the league fresh in our minds, some optimism is at least warranted.

Empoli (H), Verona (A), Fiorentina (A), Lecce (H) and Sassuolo (A) are up in the league ahead of the derby against Inter on April 21st. Provided that Milan make it there, the Europa League quarter-finals will also be played before the derby. Although that two-legged tie won’t be easy, it would certainly be strange to think that the Rossoneri cannot do well in the league.

Sure, there are a couple of tough away games in there, but this is an opportunity for Milan to show where this season is headed. With the injury situation looking up as well, there is no reason for the Rossoneri not to win at least four of these league games, which would be putting their foot down. Juventus have a much more demanding schedule, so it could also be first against second in the derby.

Quite frankly, provided that the squad stays healthy, anything other than four out of five wins (at least) would be a huge failure for Pioli. While there have been valid excuses this season, there isn’t much to point the finger at now and the manager probably feels the pressure. Not that it necessarily would help save his job to win all of them, while a failure would confirm what we already know.

On another note, Rafael Leao will be serving a one-game suspension against Empoli on Sunday and as a result, he should play the game against Slavia Praha from start. Luka Jovic is also back in the mix once again, while Noah Okafor is beaming from his winner, so it remains to be seen who will get the nod up front. Alessandro Florenzi will also be suspended at the weekend.

News bulletin

➤ Milan's Primavera side can pretty much be considered out of the Scudetto race after a 4-1 home defeat to Fiorentina on Monday. Diego Sia opened the scoring, but Ignazio Abate's side imploded and Alex Jimenez saw red. Mattia Caldara started, getting his first game for 11 months at any level.

➤ AC Milan Women have it all to do in the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final tie against Roma, having lost the first leg 1-0 at home. The Giallorosse scored twice in the final eight minutes to earn a two-goal advantage.

➤ Reports are growing suggesting that Bayern Munich are lining up a big-money bid for Theo Hernandez, given they are preparing to lose Alphonso Davies. In general, it seems that Milan face a battle to keep their stars with Rafael Leao and Mike Maignan also in demand.

➤ Over the past few days multiple reliable sources have made it clear just how much say Zlatan Ibrahimovic has in the future of Milan, after Gerry Cardinale alluded to it. In fact, one report evens stated that the Swede is second only to Cardinale in terms of power.

➤ In terms of potential incomings, there have been some interesting recent links from abroad with Gent defender Archie Brown, Boca Juniors talent Aaron Anselmino and Real Madrid playmaker Arda Güler.

➤ Fikayo Tomori did a fantastic interview with Milan TV as part of their new 'Gameplay' series, in which he talked about his beginnings as a footballer, how much he has grown at Milan and his aims for the future.