A final with a view to the Europa League. Tonight's advance between Atalanta and Milan (20.45 pm) could prove to be really important for the cup race, perhaps even decisive. It must be said that this applies above all to the Rossoneri: in fact, the players from Bergamo are just one point away from reaching the finish line and it seems difficult to escape between now and the end of the championship. Montella's team, on the other hand, has already wasted several bonuses and, in fact, can no longer afford to make mistakes if they don't want to find themselves tied to the results of Inter and Fiorentina. Winning in Bergamo, or at least not losing, would guarantee sixth place even in the event of successes for the nerazzurri (tomorrow against Sassuolo) and the viola (today at 18pm against Lazio), a defeat, on the other hand, would make everything much more complicated. “For us it's like a final, getting to Europe is fundamental – admitted Montella in the press conference. – We have to reset our heads, play with greater light-heartedness and a clear head”. In fact, Milan's problems do not seem to be only technical or physical but also, if not above all, mental. From the closing day onwards, instead of finding greater stability, the team began to falter, to the point of losing almost all the certainties acquired in the rest of the championship.
The defeats against Empoli and Roma and the draw against Crotone didn't cost too much only thanks to Inter and Fiorentina, capable, if possible, of doing even worse, but Montella knows that the bonuses are not infinite and that in Bergamo we need to achieve at all costs. “The boys are sensitive, now that they feel close to an important goal they feel a little more anxiety – explained the coach. – If you are free in your mind you can also play better, so my task will be just that”. Also because a failure to qualify in Europe would invalidate all judgments, including those on him, who went from "savior of the country" to controversial coach in the space of a few weeks. “I feel the esteem of the club, which has already publicly expressed itself for me – he glossed over. – Rumors don't bother me, I'm happy to coach Milan and I'm only thinking about achieving my goal". To do this, they need to pass Bergamo unscathed, a very difficult field even if Milan will be able to count again on Romagnoli, who recovered in extremis. to him the midfield with Pasalic and Kucka, to protect the defense made up of De Sciglio, Zapata, Romagnoli and Vangioni, and to support the offensive trident Suso-Lapadula (favorite over Bacca)-Deulofeu. Gasperini, silent on the press despite the newly signed contract renewal (4 years with an option for fourth) and a fantastic standings, will respond with the classic 3-3-7-3 with Berisha in goal, Toloi, Caldara and Masiello in the back , Conti, Kessié, Freuler and Spinazzola in the midfield, Kurtic and Gomez behind the lone striker Petagna.
