AC Milan are currently eight points behind their city rivals Inter in the Serie A standings, and the Nerazzurri have a game in hand. However, as the club legend Billy Costacurta argues, this season could still be more than positive.
The draw against Bologna seemingly killed the Scudetto hopes once and for all, but Milan are still in the race for a top-two finish in the standings. Furthermore, they will begin their Europa League knockout stage adventure next week, taking on Stade Rennes.
Speaking to Corriere della Sera, as cited by MilanNews, Costacurta shared his thoughts on Milan’s season so far and what the verdict could be at the end of it. He stated that it could still end up being a very positive season for the Rossoneri.
“Milan out of the Scudetto fight? Yes, but they have the chance to make their season even more than just positive by winning the Europa League. The next opponent is Stade Rennes, an excellent side that comes from seven consecutive victories between Ligue1 and the French Cup.
“Disappointed by Milan? No, thy now have the habit of remaining at high levels, after winning a Scudetto and reaching a Champions League semi-final. The stadium is always full and if they can reach the final, I challenge anyone not to define his season as brilliant.
“The winning mentality is built in big cup matches: if Inter hadn’t played so confidently in the final against City, they wouldn’t have started again with the self-esteem they showed this year,” he stated.
Milan will take on Napoli next, scheduled for 20:45 CET on Sunday, and another win is needed to put pressure on Juventus. The latter will take on Udinese at home on Monday, and a win for Milan would limit the distance to just one point.
Meh, I can’t believe that anyone would think that all this talk of a new manager in mid-season would do good for our team and the authority of Pioli in the next few months. If any player starts slacking, it would be much harder for Pioli to straighten things out…
If he can keep the ship straight and get us 3rd spot and a good show in Europa League, he deserves confirmation imo. Not every year you can have the best run possible, and with 10+ new players that we got this season, it’s even less likely that we would go full throttle from the very beginning.
Next 30 days will be very important.
In terms of results we need to keep a tight grip on 3rd place. The europa league is somewhere we should also be aiming high.
More than these results I believe it is vital for the team to gain an identity, start playing better, controling games and winning well. It is also a huge opportunity to use our youth players given our position in the league and the level of opposition in the EL.
If we were to start playing really well and got some exciting showings from our young guys, THAT would be success and something to build on and get excited about
ACM – Europa League, second place and no second star…
INTER – Champions League, first place and second star….
Come on, Billy, I gave you more credibility than that….!
Furthermore, I think all of us are dreading the next derby in fear of getting walloped, again.
Im so scared, we literally face a better and more fluid Inter then the first derby. Apart from the goal of Thuram the goals weren’t that special. Just imagine they play how they play now. Scared already. Especially if it’s Kjaer vs Thuram
We’re starting to have the mentality of a small club.
I think we are doing really well …much better indeed than many of you seemed to suggest….
Of course not criticising you fans as we did go through a very bad patch ,,but I think that’s behind us …
If we were to reach the final of the eurpo tournament,,then to me ,and I am sure most of you fans would agree this would be an amazing season ..
Let’s hope we can keep all our star players,,,such as Rafeol leao and yes I have to mention him yet again 37 years of age ,but wow what a season Olivier Giroud is having …I really think he will hit the 20 goal mark this season …his stats are amazing not just his goals but his assists .Yes of course I suppose we will have to sign another forward ,,but I do hope Olivier as many of you also do ,stay with us another season ,,,and fight as he always does to get a starting spot ..
Jovic has looked good of late ..
So let’s please remain optimistic,,not just this season but next …I also hope our coach pioli remains .
We can challenge again next season for the scuddeto..
We might also finnish second this season ..
What do you fans think ..you have your say .
I am just voicing a opinion.
Yeah 2nd with a -17 point gap lol. Can’t be “proud” with that. Also we will never beat Liverpool in a EL final. Probably not even Leverkussen
“Also we will never beat Liverpool in a EL final. Probably not even Leverkussen”
I’m not even sure we can beat Atalanta let alone these 2 you mentioned.