This year's competition for CL spots was so much tighter than last year. I remember there was a huge gap between the top 4 and the teams behind them. I am glad that at least we are still leading the pack rather than in the chasing.
True. More teams are getting more points. Last year, the gap was between 4th and 5th. This year, the gap is between 7th and 8th. Interesting enough, 4th place last year (Lazio) finished with 78, but the 5th place team was at 70. So technically, it took 71 points to secure CL. This year, it's likely to take 78 to secure 4th. And the way things are going, who knows....crazy to say, but maybe even more then that (80/81).
It clearly means that the top 7 have improved and closed the gap between themselves...however the rest of the league is simply not that good. Point being...the safety line is probably going to be barely at 33-35..whereas usually, 40 is considered the magic number.
Anyway, like you said, it's nice to be in the lead of this CL pack. We just have to beat the 8th-20th place teams when we play them. Even if we lose vs the likes of Lazio/Juve/Atalanta....we'd still make it if we beat Genoa, Sassuolo, Cagliari, Benevento, Torino. Easier said then done. I'm not so sure those 5 will be sure wins....but at the same time, I don't expect to lose all 3 vs Lazio/Juve/Atalanta. So, safe to say....if that magic number ends up being 78 (very likely)...then simple math says we need 5 wins. I don't care who it is...just beat 5 teams.
Crucial we win this game vs Genoa.
Atalanta play Juve
Napoli play Inter.
Someone's dropping points so we MUST get 3 points.
Quote:A sporting prosecutor has requested that Atalanta coach Gasperini be Banned for 20 days for interrupting a surprise doping test on one of his players, insulting the inspector and blasting the whole anti-doping system, ANSA sources said on Tuesday.
Gasperini allegedly stopped the test and forced his player to go and training. He faces a hearing before an anti-doping tribunal on May 10.
If the tribunal upholds the prosecutor's request, Gasperini would not be able to have any contact with his players during the suspension and would miss the last three games of the Serie A season and the Italian Cup final against Juventus. Atalanta are currently fourth in Serie A, which puts them in the Champions League qualification zone. (ANSA).
That's horrible. I wonder if they were hiding something. Maybe another big scandal is on the verge of surfacing?
(04-13-2021, 10:06 PM)ACM2021 Wrote: [ -> ]That's horrible. I wonder if they were hiding something. Maybe another big scandal is on the verge of surfacing?
Doesn't look like it. Apparently all the players tested negative. He was just pissed off that they were checking them to begin with. Haha
Roma helped Milan out a bit by holding Atalanta to 1-1 draw. Even better is the one red card for each team.
So we will be still at the 2nd after this week. Milan 66, Juventus 65, Atalanta 65, Napoli 60 (one game in hand), Lazio 58 (two games in hand). Roma should be out of race now, but at least they have another route to go to CL.
I don't know whom to cheer for between Napoli and Lazio. Maybe Lazio?
