Things are about to get awfully busy on AC Milan’s schedule. The Red and Blacks appear poised to launch a serious push to win the Europa League trophy. At the same time, Stefano Pioli’s team hasn’t completely given up hope of catching up to bitter rival Inter Milan and challenging for the Serie A title. Meanwhile, a top-four finish in Serie A and a guaranteed spot in next season’s Champions League is far from a sure thing either.
In other words, AC Milan will have to balance efforts in two different competitions, both of which are important for different reasons. The question facing Pioli’s squad is whether doing that is feasible. Does AC Milan have the depth and durability to go full-steam ahead in both competitions? If not, what competition should AC be prioritizing and how can the club excel in one without sacrificing the other?
The Schedule Ahead
Looking ahead to the upcoming schedule, AC Milan faces a demanding yet manageable series of fixtures as they compete in both Serie A and the Europa League. Despite the busy calendar, the team will contest only four Serie A matches each in March, April, and May. However, the Europa League Round of 16 presents two midweek matches in March, with the possibility of two more in April should they progress to the quarterfinals. This congested schedule poses a challenge for Milan moving forward.
Furthermore, it’s crucial to consider the quality of opposition awaiting AC Milan in the coming months. The team will encounter relatively favorable Serie A fixtures throughout March and early April, potentially making it an opportune period for betting on AC Milan, especially with the enticing sportsbook bonuses available. With Pioli’s squad expected to be strong favorites in most league encounters, AC Milan presents an appealing option for those looking to capitalize on introductory betting offers from various sportsbooks.
However, things change during the second half of April when AC Milan will face Inter Milan and then travel to Turin to play Juventus in consecutive weeks. Those figure to be must-win matches if AC has any hope of winning the Serie A title. The derby with Inter, specifically, is sandwiched in between the two legs of the Europa League quarterfinals should the club advance that far. Given the importance of those three matches within an eight-day period, it will be almost impossible for Pioli to rotate his squad and keep players fresh, potentially hindering Milan’s hopes.
The silver lining is that AC Milan ends the Serie A season against some of the worst teams in the league. If Pioli can lead the Red and Blacks within striking distance of Inter, AC’s schedule during the last few weeks of the season could work in its favor. Of course, the Europa League semifinals and finals are also scheduled for May, which could complicate Milan’s Serie A championship hopes if the club continues to advance in the European competition.
The Squad
In addition to the schedule ahead, the other pressing question for Pioli is whether his squad has enough depth to put forth maximum effort in two different competitions. In fairness, the squad was refreshed last summer with several newcomers playing key roles this season. The likes of Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have been some of AC’s most used and most important players.
However, injuries have started to take their toll on the squad. Players like Malick Thiaw, Simon Kjaer, Fikayo Tomori, Pierre Kalulu, Tommaso Pobega, and Davide Calabria have all endured absences in recent weeks with Pobega not likely to return until late April. Milan has also leaned heavily on aging players like 32-year-old Alessandro Florenzi and 37-year-old Oliver Giroud, the team’s leading scorer, throughout the campaign. It’s fair to wonder if those players can continue to perform without dropping off in performance or getting hurt with a crowded fixture list late in the season.
Where Should AC’s Priorities Be?
This isn’t an easy question to answer, but it might be wise for AC Milan to prioritize a Europa League trophy late in the season. The club took home a Serie A title just two years ago but hasn’t collected a continental trophy since 2007. While it’s not the same as winning Champions League, a Europa League title would be a great accomplishment.
Equally important, winning Europa League might be more feasible than winning Serie A. AC Milan is one of three obvious favorites along with Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool. But with those two teams leading their domestic leagues, they are unlikely to make Europa League a priority. That leaves the door open for AC Milan to seize a great opportunity to win a European trophy.
Given AC’s rather manageable Serie A schedule down the stretch, Pioli should be able to maintain a top-four position domestically while also prioritizing Europa League. Barring a series of unfortunate injuries, the Red and Blacks should have the depth to get across the line domestically while saving their best for midweek European matches. If that’s the path Pioli and the club decide to take, AC Milan has an excellent chance of winning the Europa League trophy in 2024.
