Fortune favours the proper [Newsletter]
Just a couple of days ago, the Champions League race was looking rather tough for AC Milan with just two games left of the season. However, the confirmed 10-point deduction for Juventus has changed the situation completely, with the Rossoneri reaping the rewards from the Bianconeri’s wrongdoing.
Juventus were initially handed a 15-point deduction but that decision was appealed. Max Allegri’s men were thus in second position up until Monday when the FIGC Federal Court of Appeal confirmed that the new deduction will be ten points. The decision arrived just before the Bianconeri’s game against Empoli, which they lost 4-1.
Milan are now in fourth place with 64 points, five points ahead of Juventus heading into the clash scheduled for Sunday. The Rossoneri need just one win from the final two games to secure their top-four finish, but they will be looking for 6/6 points as they could finish higher than fourth.
We covered all of the scenarios on our website yesterday. But the important thing to know is that one win is all it takes to secure a ticket for next season’s Champions League. Another interesting point is that Milan could actually finish above Inter, and the latter could even miss out on a top-four finish.
Inter will face Atalanta (who are hoping to steal their top-four spot) and then Torino. The Nerazzurri would have to lose both in order to miss out, so it’s perhaps not that likely, but still worth keeping in mind. Milan certainly know a thing or two about the Champions League being a big distraction in the league.
The 5-1 win against Sampdoria was a big boost ahead of what’s to come and a strong finish to the season would certainly help smooth things over with the critical portion of the fans. On paper, of course, finishing in the top four and reaching the Champions League semi-finals is more than enough.
But there’s no doubt about the fact that reinforcements are needed in the summer and, thankfully, Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara are well aware of this. Provided that Milan do finish in the top four this season, the in-depth evaluations on the current structure - that is Maldini, Massara and Pioli - shall only be made after the 2023/24 season.
News bulletin
➤ There seemed to be a bit of a hangover for AC Milan's Primavera team after they secured survival last week, as Ignazio Abate's side were beaten 4-0 by Juventus. The Bianconeri scored two goals in each half in Vinovo.
➤ The Milan Women are gearing up for a derby against Inter to end the season. Both teams want third place, with the Rossonere in fourth at 41 points and the Nerazzurre below at 39 points. Fiorentina are third with 42 points.
➤ There is one target for the midfield department that Stefano Pioli seems to have put above all the others, and that is Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. A fantasy name in the past, there are suggestions that the Serbian may now be a realistic target.
➤ Milan could have a €100m budget for the summer window, but it rests on freeing some wages and generating fees from exits. La Gazzetta dello Sport have outlined the plan.
➤ The Curva Sud Milano will not be present at the game against Juventus as they are protesting against the high ticket prices - set at over €80 for away fans - but they are instead helping flood victims in the Emilia-Romagna region.
➤ A lunch took place last week in Milano between the AC Milan management and the president of River Plate, and two names in particular emerged during the discussions that could become two transfer targets for Milan.
In case you missed it
Make sure to check out the latest podcast episode, as well as the latest bonus podcast (only available on Substack!). You can also read our latest bonus article which discusses Maldini’s recent words (plus a small update Pioli).