AC Milan are one step away from their first league title in 11 years. On Sunday (6 p.m.) the leader, with a two-point lead over Inter Milan, would be satisfied with a draw at Sassuolo for the 18th Scudetto – the city rivals would then lose out. The “Nerazzurri” need a home win against Sampdoria to finish and can only hope for a slip from Milan.
The mastermind behind the comeback of the red-blacks after the end of the Silvio Berlusconi era is coach Stefano Pioli, who took office in October 2019. After the departure of Massimiliano Allegri, who led Milan to their last title as coach in 2010/11, no fewer than six coaches tried their luck at the traditional club in vain before the former defender from Parma managed the turnaround.
“What the team is doing mentally is unbelievable,” said Pioli recently after the win against Atalanta Bergamo. “When we took over, they had completely different tactical ideals and ideas, so we had to change everything.” Should Milan and Inter finish the season with the same number of points, the direct duels would be decisive, as in the Admiral Bundesliga. In these, Milan is ahead thanks to a draw and an away win.
Inter blows the last attack on top
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi has not given up hope of a turnaround. “Sassuolo are a very good team, they have a lot of individual ability,” emphasized the ex-striker. “I’m expecting a pretty open ending in terms of title decision, European places and relegation issues. We are here and we will try everything to make it happen.”
From his own experience, Inzaghi knows only too well what can still be possible even on the last matchday. “Obviously we’re behind so we need a win and hope they lose. But that’s already happened. I won with Lazio when we were two points behind and Juventus lost to Perugia. It can happen again,” the 46-year-old recalled of the 1999/2000 final, when Lazio snagged his second title.
