05-07-2014, 05:03 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-07-2014, 06:06 PM by Mystik.)
There are two games left in Serie A for us to reach that oh-so-coveted Europa League spot </sarcasm>. We are tied with Parma for 7th, 1 point off Torino who is in 6th and 3 points off Inter in 5th. Lazio and Verona are only behind us by 1 point so we can't afford to drop points.
This week's relevant fixtures:
Quote:Atalanta - Milan
Inter - Lazio
Torino - Parma
Verona - Udinese
Next week's fixtures are as follows:
Quote:Milan - Sassuolo
Chievo - Inter
Lazio - Bologna
Napoli - Verona
Fiorentina - Torino
Parma - Livorno
Lazio and Inter will take points off each other, as will Parma and Torino. Verona will probably drop points at Napoli as well. If we get 6 points, there is a pretty decent chance of us catching Inter in 5th place. Not quite what we hoped for at the beginning of the season but much better than what we expected in February or so. Correct me if I'm wrong but if we finish in 5th place, I don't think we need to qualify for the EL group stage (not sure though).
Obviously we need to focus on this game first. Atalanta is safe and doesn't have anything to play for but we should not underestimate them. We did not have an amazing derby and we'll most likely come up against a defensive Atalanta team looking to catch us on the counter. We need 3 points at all costs and our away record is pitiful (5W-5D-8L). However I have faith in the boys that they can pull something out of the hat at this important juncture in the season.
FORZA MILAN!
Siamo a posto cosi.
yes, you are right that 5th place does not need to participate in the qualifier so if that happens, it would be perfect. But I don't think we can still catch up with Inter, because we have a much worse goal difference (13 goals behind) compared to them, and there are two matches left.
Our realistic goal is 6th. The problem is that we need BOTH Parma and Torino to drop points, so if they can tie their game next week, it would be perfect; otherwise, it could get really tricky. I believe that Fiorentina will play Parma in the final round, and I am not sure that they would use 100% of their energy to help us.
Either way, we will have to win out, and wait for Parma and Torino to lose points. But as long as we win out, even if we miss the EL still, I am content.
aka xudong
05-07-2014, 05:49 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-07-2014, 05:50 PM by ZvonimirBoban.)
Reading this discussion hurts me (or maybe, myself from 7 years ago). Milan, in the same bracket as Verona and Torino, oh why....
MILAN! MILAN! SOLO CON TE!
MILAN! MILAN! SEMPRE PER TE!
7 years ago? what happened 7 years ago? it has been so long that we did anything worth mentioning.
aka xudong
I just added Parma's and Torino's last games to the post above. Parma has an easier game than Torino but you never know with Serie A...
Siamo a posto cosi.
(05-07-2014, 05:50 PM)xudong Wrote: 7 years ago? what happened 7 years ago? it has been so long that we did anything worth mentioning.
7 years ago the club which now compete for 6th Serie A place, were the champions of Europe and the world; and their vice-captain who now has one good game for every 3-4 invisible performances, was the best player in the world.
7 years ago the coach of this year's Champions League finalists actually won that Champions League with another club; Bakaye Traore was just a 22-year-old unknown playing at Ligue 2; and Juventus were in the exact place where they should have been.
MILAN! MILAN! SOLO CON TE!
MILAN! MILAN! SEMPRE PER TE!
05-08-2014, 12:06 AM
(This post was last modified: 05-08-2014, 12:07 AM by ACM2023.)
aka xudong
05-09-2014, 12:52 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-09-2014, 12:52 PM by Mystik.)
Quote:Milan pay a visit to their Bergamaschi neighbours Atalanta in the penultimate round of the season, with the sides experiencing contrasting form.
Having made a surprise late push for a Europa League berth with a club record six consecutive wins up until the end of March, Atalanta have since seen their continental dream shattered by a run of five games in which they have only managed to pick up a solitary point.
Disappointing home defeats to Hellas Verona and struggling Sassuolo in recent weeks have shown that the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D'Italia is not the fortress it was earlier in the campaign, and La Dea's misery was compounded with a 1-0 loss away to newly-crowned champions Juventus in Week 36.
Despite falling to the Bianconeri thanks to a strike from ex-Nerazzurri midfielder Simone Padoin, and seeing his side's European ambitions falter of late, Coach Stefano Colantuono hinted that the original objective for the Orobici was simply to avoid relegation.
“For our part, we can consider safety as our very own Scudetto,” Colantuono claimed.
As Atalanta come up against another of Serie A's elite, they are dealing with a defensive shortage, with Riccardo Cazzola, Stefano Lucchini and Giuliano Stendardo in the treatment room. Meanwhile, Mario Yepes could also miss the encounter with his old club through injury, and Manuel Estigarribia is ruled out due to suspension.
Speculation surrounding the permanency of Milan's Dutch tactician Clarence Seedorf has been rife recently, with many calling for a more experienced head such as Roberto Donadoni to take the reins following the Diavolo's resounding 2-0 away defeat to Roma in Round 35.
However, as the Rossoneri emerged 1-0 victors from the Derby della Madonnina against eternal city rivals Inter, Nigel de Jong's goal could have earned Seedorf a much-needed reprieve. With two games to play, and seven wins in their last eight fixtures, the Via Turati club now sit in eighth position, three points behind the Biscione, who occupy the final automatic Europa League spot.
Marco Amelia should take the suspended Christian Abbiati's place in goal against the Orobici, but Valter Birsa and Riccardo Saponara will both sit out the match with injuries.
Keep an eye on: Mario Balotelli (Milan) – The enigmatic forward has been much-maligned this term, with many questioning his role in the side following his abject display during the 2-0 loss against Roma. What is unquestionable however, in spite of the turbulent season being experienced by Milan, is how important he has been for them. 14 goals and six assists in 28 appearances speaks volumes, and the Italy international bounced back in the best possible way with an excellent performance against former side Inter last week.
Form Guide: Atalanta (L L L D L) Milan (W W W L W)
Last season: Atalanta 0-1 Milan
Stat fact: The Nerazzurri have failed to beat Milan on home turf at the last four times of asking, with their last win against them coming thanks to a 2-1 victory in the 2007-08 season. La Dea have also only run out winners in this fixture three times since the 1984-85 campaign.
Atalanta (probable): Consigli; Brivio, Benalouane, Migliaccio, Nica; Bonaventura, Carmona, Baselli, Raimondi; Moralez, Denis
Milan (probable): Amelia; Constant, Mexes, Rami, De Sciglio; Montolivo, De Jong, Taarabt, Kaka, Poli; Balotelli
Words: Anthony Alborino
football-italia.net
Saponara and Birsa injured again..? Saponara must really be made out of glass to be getting continuously injured with training sessions.
Siamo a posto cosi.
Or Saponara feels he has to push extra hard in training to prove his worth to the club. It was no secret that Allegri and crew managed the fitness of the players poorly. This is just another symptom of that IMO.
Constant is getting a lot of chances recently.
aka xudong
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