AC Milan’s ambition of securing a top-five spot in the Serie A this season has all but ended after an uninspiring 1-0 home defeat to Atalanta on Sunday.
Ederson’s goal off Raoul Bellanova’s cross two minutes after the hour-mark dented AC Milan’s European dreams as they fell to ninth position in the Italian top-flight standings.
It was the Rossoneri’s 10th league loss of the season but they have a chance to put their abysmal league form behind them and still challenge for a silverware in the Coppa Italia.
AC Milan are in the semi-final of the oldest cup competition in Italy and could secure qualification for European football if they manage to cross the semi-final and final hurdles.
Sergio Conceicao’s men will face city rivals Inter Milan for the return leg of their semi-final clash on Wednesday and it will be all or nothing after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw earlier in April.
Both Milan clubs suffered losses this weekend with Inter succumbing to a late 1-0 in Bologna and Wednesday’s encounter is expected to be more than a derby or cup game.
In a post-match conference attended by Sports Talk United, Leao issued a rallying cry to his teammates: “There’s a very important match on Wednesday and we have to give it our all, to win, go to the final and bring joy to all the fans.”
AC Milan’s worrying firepower
During our live coverage of Sunday’s game in the San Siro, AC Milan dominated play in the opening minutes but they did not make the most of their chances against a resolute Atalanta and they were eventually punished with a goal in the 62nd minute.
To escape Inter’s onslaught, Conceicao’s men need to be decisive and clinical in front of goal, which means the likes of Rafael Leao and Luka Jovic need to be on top of their game.
The duo started at the San Siro Stadium on Sunday but could not account for any shot on target before their substitutions.
Meanwhile, things turned from bad to worse as Milan failed to register a shot on target in the final 10 minutes despite having five attackers coming off the bench.
Conceicao’s men will aim to put the defeat behind them and the only option to make the Rossoneri faithful beam with smiles again is to have a crucial win at the San Siro Stadium on Wednesday and advance into the Coppa Italia final.
Regardless of the AC Milan’s strong midfield set-up with Yossouf Fofana and Tijani Reijnders dictating play, an early goal from whoever leads the attack and a concentrated defence should be enough to get the job done for Milan.
The winner of Wednesday’s fixture is expected to face either Empoli or Bologna in the final, and the crowned winner is guaranteed an automatic qualification for the UEFA Europa League next season.
