GdS: Milan win again but fail to shine again – work needed to go further in Europe | OneFootball

AC Milan got the three points that they needed to climb into the top eight of the Champions League standings last night, but they were once again unconvincing.

La Gazzetta dello Sport speak of ‘mission accomplished’ for Milan, who won by the narrowest margin against Girona (1-0) and yet took perhaps their most important step, rising to sixth. Finishing inside the top eight would mean direct access to the last 16 of the competition.

In turn that means avoided a two-legged play-off during February, and looking at the teams that are in that middle zone, the names have a certain impact: Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG and possibly Manchester City.

Thinking about Milan’s season, so far with more lows than highs, a sacked coach and a summer transfer window called into question in January, being among the top eight in Europe seems almost a miracle.

Yesterday’s match brought the result needed, even if the performance was not brilliant. Girona in the standings have only three points but on the field it was as if there were not a 15-place gap between the sides, which must worry Sergio Conceicao.

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Rafael Leao decided it with a beautiful goal, as should often happen considering his value and his salary, without every eve or post-match bringing with it questions and considerations on his approach to the games, on his finishing and whether he is stimulated in a satisfactory way.

Now the hope of the coach and fans is that Rafa, to whom many of Milan’s fortunes are linked, maintains a consistency of performance never shown before. In the meantime the style of play must improve, but victories help to work better.

Direct qualification would be the second great result of the season after the victory in the Supercoppa Italiana against Juventus and Inter. The last match – against Dinamo Zagreb, who have eight points – is not to be underestimated, but on paper it is winnable too.