GdS: Milan overlooking Atalanta fixture for Inter – the European reason | OneFootball

AC Milan are desperate to find themselves in Europe next season, and the most plausible route involves the Coppa Italia. However, they also have a big game this weekend.

It is a case of risk and reward, as football always is, for Milan currently, with the Rossoneri forced to weigh up the Atalanta fixture and the derby re-run in midweek. Put simply, the decisions made in these two games will define the season’s end, and there is a lot on the line.

So, this morning’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) has taken a look at proceedings and what can be expected.

The situation

Put simply, the Coppa Italia offers the Diavolo the ‘east tortuous’ way of entering Europe, though it will, of course, not be that simple. The Serie A standings make a Champions League place near impossible. Unfortunately, simply attaining a place in the Europa League or, worse yet Conference League, remains testing.

It means the club would have to be near perfect for the final few games of the season, whilst also being reliant on other results. Or, there is the Coppa Italia, where two wins will grant a ticket to Europe.

Against Inter, this season, there has shown no reason to be scared – after all, Milan hold a near-perfect record against their bitter rivals, so there is a slightly better feeling entering this game, boosted by the season’s results.

The solutions

With the 3-4-3 tested in Udine, Sergio Conceicao has added a new strategy for Inter to work out. However, this could be another mind game, another weapon in the arsenal that may just wait there.

Instead, though, the report states that he will rely on ‘the starters’ who would make this system possible, and this will also be the case against Atalanta, meaning there will be no chance to rest, preferring to attack both games with full strength, which could be a huge risk.

Then, there is the ‘AmmazzaInter’, Tammy Abraham. Against Inter this season, he has been superb, scoring vital goals in Saudi Arabia and the first round of the Coppa Italia, a weapon which Simone Inzaghi has yet to neutralise.

A paradox

Finally, there is the goal to disrupt Inter’s possible treble. Nerazzurri fans are already dreaming about a three-trophy haul, and discussions are already being had. Milan are chewing at the bit to stop that, making it a ‘minus one’ situation. Perhaps, it could be minus three if the season finds itself being so generous.