AC Milan, Crossed Out Of The Scudetto Hunt And Focused On Newcastle's Opponents In The Champions League

AC MIlan is no longer taken into account in the hunt for Scudetto after losing against Atalanta. (Twitter @acmilan)

JAKARTA - AC Milan is no longer taken into account in the hunt for the Scudetto even though it is still ranked third in the Italian Serie A standings. The 3-2 defeat against Atalanta was the reason Milan found it difficult to compete with Inter Milan and Juventus.

Now, Milan have immediately focused on playing an away match against Newcastle in the Champions League. Milan's chances of qualifying for the last 16 are not easy because it currently occupies the basis of the standings.

Apart from Milan's problems in the Champions League, they are indeed starting to find it difficult to penetrate second place or even first place.

Competition in Serie A competition began to narrow down on two competitors, Inter and Juve. The defeat to Atalanta in the match at Gewiss Stadium, Sunday, December 10 in the morning WIB, made Milan have to run faster to catch up on points.

Even though they are still in the top three, Milan, which has 29 points, is nine points adrift of Inter. Meanwhile, Juve, who is in second place, has point 36.

According to Il Corriere dello Sport Milan, it is difficult to compete with two of its rivals. Especially if coach Stefano Pioli still maintains a style of play that has failed to compete in Serie A.

In addition, Pioli is advised to be practical considering that many Milan players are absent due to injury. This makes it difficult for Pioli to lower the best squad.

The defeat to Atalanta forced Milan to work extra hard to get up. Moreover, the team has immediately focused on the Champions League.

They played their final group stage match against Newcastle at St James' Park Stadium, Thursday, December 14 in the morning WIB.

Milan, who are at the bottom of the standings, must win the match if they want to qualify for the last 16.

The problem is, Newcastle and Paris Saint-Germain also want to qualify. Especially PSG, who are in second place with the seventh most chances of qualifying to accompany Borussia Dortmund.

"Los or not at all. If we win at least we will get guaranteed to compete in the Europa League," said defender Alessandro Florenzi in response to competition in the Champions League.

"This competition is no less important. We also want Milan to play in the Europa League," said Florenzi, who denied media analysis in Italy about Milan's chances of winning the Scudetto.

According to him, domestic competition is still long. Anything can still happen because there are many league matches that must be completed.

"I don't want to see the standings until March. If it has entered March or April, then we can find out where we are," he said.

"What is clear is that we remain focused on Serie A and European competitions," replied Florenzi.