After a decade of failing to register a single point away at Juventus, Milan sent a strong signal to their rivals last night as they beat the Bianconeri 3-0. It was truly well-deserved and the Rossoneri are now one step closer to the Champions League, which would be huge for the club in many aspects.
Stefano Pioli really outdid himself last night as the decision to start Brahim Diaz behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic was one of the winning factors. The Spaniard, who’s on loan from Real Madrid, scored the first goal with a beautifully curled effort and also won the penalty that Franck Kessie, unfortunately, failed to convert.
And with the win last night, which was topped off by goals from Ante Rebic and Fikayo Tomori, the manager is not only one step closer to a top-four finish but also confirmation on the bench. With three games to go, Milan are in third place with 72 points – the same as Atalanta – and their next games are Torino and Cagliari.
Thanks to last night’s scoreline, the Rossoneri are now ahead of Juventus on H2H as the reverse fixture finished 3-1 in favour of the Bianconeri. They also have H2H advantage over Napoli and still have a chance against Atalanta even though the chances of turning it around are slim.
Having said that, another six points should do the trick for Milan and one win could also be enough, but then the others would have to slip up. And although the H2H advantage is a huge boost, it would all be thrown out the window if more than two teams finish on the same amount of points. It would then decided by a ‘mini-league’ of points collected between the sides.
The standings right now
1. Inter: 85 points
2. Atalanta: 72 points
3. Milan: 72 points
4. Napoli: 70 points
5. Juventus: 69 points
6. Lazio: 64 points (one game in hand)
Direct H2H
Juventus (ahead): 1-3 defeat in the first leg at San Siro. 3-0 in Turin.
Atalanta (behind): 0-3 defeat at San Siro. The second game is yet to be played.
Napoli (ahead): 1-3 win at Maradona Stadium, 0-1 defeat at San Siro.
Lazio (behind): 3-2 win at San Siro. 3-0 defeat at the Olimpico.
Mini league
Atalanta (a match to be played): 13 points. Wins against Lazio, Milan and Napoli. Victory and draw against Juve.
Napoli (H2H completed): 12 points. Wins against Lazio, Milan, Atalanta and Juventus.
Juventus (H2H completed): 11 points. A win against Milan, draw and win against Lazio, win against Napoli, draw against Atalanta.
Lazio (H2H completed): 10 points. Wins against Milan, Atalanta and Napoli. Draw against Juve.
Milan (A match to be played): 9 points. Wins against Lazio, Napoli and Juventus.
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