Milanai??i??s unbeaten run in 2013 finally came to an end in their previous match. And who could have been better in breaking the streak than the defending champions and the would-be champions, Juventus? The loss to Juventus did open up a few questions ai??i?? uncomfortable as they may be for Allegri. Milan took a total of two points out of a possible nine from their last three encounters, a result which now sees them one point above Fiorentina in the league table and fighting desperately for a place in next yearai??i??s UEFA Champions League.
However controversial the game might have been and no matter how much one abuses
Tagliavento, the score-line at the end of the match with Fiorentina will read 2-2; a match which saw the ban of Balotelli. Although the ban was reduced later, he did miss two crucial season-changing matches. Balotelliai??i??s impact has been immense since his transfer in January and till now, he has a goal-per-game average. If missing out on Balotelli was not bad enough, it was Flaminiai??i??s turn to receive a straight red against Napoli. In his defence, he was heard saying that ai???he wanted to prove himselfai???! If getting a straight red doesnai??i??t prove anything to the supporters of the club, what will? Going by that logic, Suarezai??i??s ai???hungerai??i?? can be empathized with.
Two draws against two top-table teams were acceptable results, but it only turned worse against Juventus. The game was a dull affair with non-existent tactical moves from either bench but what will hurt Milan the most will be the injuries to Abbiati and Ambrosini. Both of their contracts end after this season, and whether they will opt for a renewal, only time will tell. However, should they leave come May end, this will signal the definitive end of ai???theai??i?? Milan era, which started with the unwanted sale of Shevchenko to Chelsea.
Coming back to Serie A, five games remain till the end of the season. With Fiorentina determined to clinch the third spot in the league, the last few weeks in Serie A might throw up a few surprises and make unexpected heroes in the process. Milan should clinch maximum points from four of their five matches, but it might all come down to Roma to determine which team goes on to next yearai??i??s UEFA Champions League. Roma are scheduled to play both Fiorentina and Milan in these last five rounds and their performance in these two matches might go on to determine their final outcome from this season.
Milan should have a comfortable run between now and May 12, when they face Roma at home. This weekend they face off against Catania at home, with Balotelli looking to return to action. Catania possess less of an aerial threat and are also weak in possession. They are also susceptible against through ball attacks and are weak in protecting their lead. Faced against such a side, it can be assumed that Milan will sail through without burning their fingers. Next up for them will be Torino, who will be coming fresh off a derby with Juventus. They have performed superbly this season and the performances of a few players have attracted attention from Europe. Among them are Matteo Darmian and Ogbonna, who look destined to move away at the end of the season. Victory against Torino will be a hard-fought one for Milan and this will be one match which will test their resolve to finish within the top three.
The match against Roma is sandwiched between matches against Pescara and Siena. Firmly rooted to the bottom of the table, Pescara look destined for Serie B next season. Win-less in their last 14 encounters, Pescara look less likely to pose any real threat for Milan and that will be one match where Allegri can look to rest the key players for Roma. The final match of the season will be played against Siena at San Siro. However, by that time Milanai??i??s position in the league table will be more or less finalized.
That brings us to the rather uncomfortable situation of Milan not finishing in third place this season. Galliani has made it very clear that nothing short of third place will be acceptable for Milan and should Allegri fail to deliver the goods, it might be his curtain call at Milan. Allegri has made remarkable changes to this flagging Milan squad and from being relegation fighters at one point, Milan are now within touching distance of European football come next season.
Rumor mills are already abuzz with calls for Allegriai??i??s replacement withAi??Luciano Spalletti reportedly being considered for the job. While rumors like these have been swirling all season, come the end, these might take their toll on Allegri. After backing him all season, Galliani has taken his stance on how ai???crucialai??i?? it is for Milan to hold on to the third spot. Although Milan reported a significantly reduced operating loss for 2012, missing out on European football might force Berlusconiai??i??s hand to look for foreign investors.
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