Italian sports papers analyse Milan‘s situation ahead of Saturday’s derby and some suggest Stefano Pioli’s side could risk missing out on a Champions League spot if they lose against Inter.
On paper, the Rossoneri are still in the race to win the Scudetto this term. They sit four points behind leaders Inter, although the Nerazzurri have a game in hand.
A victory in Saturday’s derby would boost Milan’s title hopes, but a loss may see them fight for a Champions League spot for the remainder of the season.
Juventus sit in fifth, but the Bianconeri massively reinforced their team in January by signing the likes of Denis Zakaria and Serie A’s Capocannoniere Dusan Vlahovic.
Inter and Atalanta have also reinforced their teams. La Dea sold Robin Gosens to Inter, but bought Valentin Mihaila from Parma and Jeremie Boga from Sassuolo.
Milan, on the other hand, had a quiet transfer window. Their most significant activities were to end Pietro Pellegri’s loan and sign 18-year-old striker Marko Lazetic.
Both Il Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport newspaper claim Milan could miss out on a top-four finish if they lose against Inter on Saturday.
“Inzaghi’s team has been reinforced, while Pioli may need to look over his shoulders,” wrote Il Corriere dello Sport adding that Milan “risk missing out on the Scudetto and the Champions League.”
Tuttosport offers a similar view, writing that “The Diavolo risks” and that the Rossoneri “now seem too weak.”
La Gazzetta dello Sport, on the other hand, gives an optimistic view highlighting that Stefano Pioli has only lost one game out of ten after international breaks.
It remains to be seen if it will be enough to beat Inter on Saturday and boost Milan’s title hopes.