La Gazzetta dello Sport interviewed 11 Italy World Cup winners and most of them see Milan as the favourite to win the title, but warn the Rossoneri about their next game in Verona.
Only two points divide Inter and Milan with three games remaining. However, Milan can win the title if they collect seven points as they have a better head-to-head record which would allow them to be crowned Italy champions if they finish on even points with the Nerazzurri.
La Gazzetta dello Sport interviewed 11 Italy World Cup winners, asking their thoughts on the title race: Gigi Buffon, Marcello Lippi, Massimo Oddo, Alberto Gilardino, Gianluca Zambrotta, Luca Toni, Claudio Gentile, Fulvio Collovati, Giancarlo Antognoni, Alessandro Altobelli and Dino Zoff. Almost all of them see Stefano Pioli’s men as the favourite.
However, they also warn the Rossoneri about their next match against Verona. This fixture has a special meaning for the Diavoli who lost the title twice at the Bentegodi: first in 1973 and then in 1990.
Gigi Buffon
“Milan are the favourite, but only because they have a better head to head record. They can draw one game and it means a lot.
“Mike Maignan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Stefano Pioli will be the added value, for Inter I say Samir Handanovic, Marcelo Brozovic and Simone Inzaghi. Milan’s most tricky game is on Sunday against Verona. They could win the title even if they manage a draw.”
Alberto Gilardino
“Milan remain the favourite because their two-point lead can make the difference. I hope Ibrahimovic will be the key man, especially if he retires at the end of the season. The title would be the icing on the cake of an extraordinary career.
“On the other hand, Edin Dzeko is always decisive. Inter could struggle against Cagliari, while the match against Verona could be the most difficult one for Milan.”
Dino Zoff
“I think Milan are the favourite, but they must wisely manage their lead. There won’t be just a decisive player, but the team’s commitment. At this moment, it’s crucial to continue playing as a team.
“On paper, Milan have a tougher fixture list than Inter, but all remaining games are complicated, the match against Verona will be crucial for Milan.”
Gianluca Zambrotta
“On paper, considering the remaining games, I would say Inter. But if I look at the table and the moment, I say Milan.
“They have a better head to head record, they have enthusiasm and they are in shape. Rafael Leao, Maignan and Sandro Tonali could be decisive for Milan, Handanovic, Lautaro and Ivan Perisic for Inter.
“The game against Verona will be difficult for Milan, while Inter must cope with Cagliari and their desire to avoid relegation.”
Marcello Lippi
“Over the last two months, I had thought that Inter would make it,” Lippi said.
“They seemed the favourite, more angry, determined and with a game in hand, but the match in Bologna changed everything. Now Milan have the edge. Two-point lead and a better head to head record. I say Milan.
“I like Stefano Pioli, he’s a practical coach with a great organisation. He transmits serenity to his team. To some extent, we are similar.”
Alessandro Altobelli
“I say Inter because the fixture list will be decisive and I can see them win all their remaining games, while I am not too sure about Milan.
“They are different teams. Inter play good football and it’s difficult to find a player more decisive than others even if Brozovic is the least replaceable.
“For Milan, it’s logical to pick Leao as the most decisive player. He can change the game from one moment to another.”
Fulvio Collovati
“I think Milan have a 55% chance to win the title. They have a two-point lead, three considering the head to head record.
“Leao is the man of the moment, he has learned how to handle the decisive part of games. For Inter, I say Perisic even if Dzeko can be decisive. Inter will have to suffer in Cagliari, while the Verona game will be crucial for Milan because Atalanta are in decline. If Milan win at the Bentegodi, that 55% would become 90%.”
why not ask them how Italy failed to not qualify for world cup again.
I agree cheech. That is a great question why the Italian failure!