Milan’s joy at qualifying for the Champions League could be tempered by a desperate need for points in Italy’s Serie A, and the formidable challenge of on-form visitors Juventus tomorrow.
Seven-time winners Milan beat Serie A champions Juventus into the last 16 of Europe’s premier club competition with victory over Anderlecht on Wednesday.
But the Rossoneri’s feat in Brussels will do little to hide the fact their domestic form, compared to the Turin giants, leaves a lot to be desired.
After 13 games, Milan sit in the bottom half of the table with a 17-point deficit on Juve (32), who have a four-point lead on Inter with Napoli and Fiorentina a point further adrift in third and fourth.
Indeed, if not for the goalscoring talents of forward Stephan El Shaarawy, who has a league-leading tally of 10 goals – half of Milan’s total – the red and black would be in even worse shape.
“Is El Shaarawy the Milan team? He’s the one making the difference for them so, yes, I’d say he is,” Juve forward Sebastian Giovinco told reporters this week.
Juventus, on the other hand, could not be more comfortable.
Since suffering their first defeat in 50 games three weeks ago, they have accounted for Pescara (6-1), dominated Lazio in a scoreless draw and left Chelsea’s Champions League hopes hanging by a thread after a 3-0 rout on Wednesday.
In the corresponding fixture with Milan last year, Juventus drew 1-1 at the San Siro. Earlier in the season, the Old Lady beat the Rossoneri 2-0 in Turin.
Milan defender Mattia De Sciglio said: “Sunday’s match against Juventus will be tough, especially with what happened last year. They’re one of the best teams in Italy.”
Since their 3-1 reverse at home against Inter, Juventus have been virtually unbeatable.
But what is billed as one of the biggest matches in Italian football will be hard to predict. In their 77 previous Serie A matches at the San Siro, Milan have won 26 times with Juve prevailing in 18 and 33 matches ending in draws.
Juve coach Antonio Conte, whose lengthy touchline ban ends next month, is taking nothing for granted.
“We have an important game coming up against a Milan side that isn’t currently challenging at the top, but they still have a squad brimming with quality,” he said.
“We’re top of the league, but we still haven’t achieved anything and still have qualification to secure in the Champions League.”
Juventus face Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine in two weeks hoping for at least a draw as they look to make the Champions League knockout phase for the first time since 2009.
A Juventus win tomorrow, meanwhile, would extend their lead over Inter to seven points ahead of the Nerazzurri’s trip to Parma on Monday, when Cagliari host Napoli.
Parma, who sit in ninth, will be hoping for at least a share of the points although Inter have good reasons to think otherwise.
Inter are still fuming after being held to a 2-2 draw at home to Cagliari last week when they were denied a valid penalty claim.
The Nerazzurri also suffered a 3-0 Europa League defeat Thursday to Rubin Kazan.
Meanwhile, Andrea Stramaccioni will be on the bench on Monday after successfully appealing against a one-match touchline ban yesterday.
The Inter coach was initially suspended for berating the referee in the penalty incident against Cagliari at the San Siro.
Fixtures
Serie A
Playing today
Palermo vs Catania - 20.45
Tomorrow – 15.00
Atalanta vs Genoa
Chievo vs Siena
Milan vs Juventus20.45
Pescara vs Roma
Sampdoria vs Bologna
Torino vs Fiorentina
Monday
Cagliari vs Napoli - 19.00
Parma vs Inter - 21.00
Tuesday
Lazio vs Udinese - 20.45
Standings: Juve 32; Inter 28; Fioren-tina, Napoli 27; Lazio 23; Roma 20; Catania 19; Atalanta (-2) 18; Parma 17; Udinese, Cagliari 16; Milan 15; Torino (-1) 14; Sampdoria (-1) 13; Bologna, Palermo, Chievo, Pescara 11; Siena (-6) 10; Genoa 9.
Serie B
Played yesterday
Novara vs Livorno - 0-1
Today – 15.00
Ascoli vs Vicenza
Cesena vs Spezia - 18.00
Cittadella vs Verona
Crotone vs Padova
Grosseto vs Brescia
Juve Stabia vs Empoli
Sassuolo vs Reggina
Ternana vs Lanciano
Varese vs Pro Vercelli
Tomorrow
Bari vs Modena - 12.30
Standings: Sassuolo, Livorno 35; Verona 32; Juve Stabia 24; Modena (-2), Padova (-2), Brescia 22; Cittadella 21; Varese (-1) 20; Spezia 19; Empoli (-1) 18; Crotone (-2), Ternana 17; Vicenza, Ascoli (-1) 16; Bari (-7) 15; Reggina (-3), Cesena 14; Lanciano 12; Pro Vercelli 11; Novara (-4) 10; Grosseto (-6) 7.