AC Milan and Inter are competing on multiple fronts at the moment and not just in the battle for a top four spot, a report claims.
La Gazzetta dello Sport writes how there is a battle in terms of the athletic and psychological condition of the two sides. Inter seem to relish the big games – especially at home – and fade mainly against the medium-small clubs, often away from home.
Milan meanwhile struggled against everyone in the January crisis and looked to be in poor condition, but Giroud’s goal against Torino seemed to be a turning point and the win over Atalanta was befitting of a team that are now on four wins in a row given the intensity, quality and cohesion.
Then there is the calendar, where the Nerazzurri have a potential run of games where they could put a run together given they play Lecce, Spezia, Fiorentina, Salernitana, Monza and Empoli from Sunday to mid-April. Simone Inzaghi’s team must aim for a winning streak in these six meetings.
On the other hand, Milan have to face Napoli, Roma and Juve away before the end of the season, and Lazio at home. The Bianconeri play the Rossoneri in the penultimate game of the season and it could have plenty riding on it, while Pioli’s men have only 19 points out of the 47 won away from home which is a contrast to last season.
The Champions League will also be a point of rivalry, with Romelu Lukaku’s goal on Wednesday giving the Nerazzurri a position of slight advantage over Porto, while Brahim Diaz’s winner against Spurs does the same for Milan.
Both sides face tough away legs to try and make the quarter-finals, and if they get through then the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Manchester City could await. Even still there is a chance, and getting into the final eight would bring much-needed revenues.
Then there are the two coaches, Simone Inzaghi and Stefano Pioli. For both being nearly 20 points behind the Serie A leaders Napoli in February will be considered a strong disappointment, but both are also still very much fighting for the remaining objectives.
Inzaghi has a contract until 2024 and he will be judged at the end of the season based on the final placement, while for Pioli the same can be said and the biggest factor will obviously be qualification (or not) for the next Champions League. The leaders of neither club would never make public that a coach is at risk, however it is obvious that results must meet minimum expectations for any manager in any job.
Inter and Milan also face a summer window in which they will have to fix their squad better than their rival. Milan Skriniar, Stefan De Vrij, Denzel Dumfries and Marcelo Brozovic could all leave the Nerazzurri, as could Romelu Lukaku and Francesco Acerbi. Sales will have to finance signings, but a minimum budget and a couple of low-cost starter-level players are the maximum expected.
Milan ‘s budget will depend heavily on qualification in the Champions League but it will not differ much from that of last summer. However, the team has at least three clear needs: a new centre-forward, a right winger and a central midfielder. The name that intrigues the most is that of Noah Okafor (Salzburg).
Finally, the new stadium issue. The latest news suggests Inter are annoyed by the push and pull of the Rossoneri ownership with regards to doing a potential project alone, so Steven Zhang’s club could move to another private area in the city.
Milan meanwhile intend to continue with the project for the new stadium even without their cousins. President Scaroni said it clearly a month ago and the following sites are being considered: Sesto San Giovanni, San Donato, Rozzano and La Maura, private land close to the Meazza.
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