Milan vs Como: A Crucial Clash in the Serie A Title Race
Massimiliano Allegri has reiterated that AC Milan’s primary objective this season remains securing a coveted spot in the Champions League, as they prepare to host Como in a highly anticipated Serie A fixture. This match presents a significant opportunity for the Rossoneri to close the gap on league leaders Inter Milan, potentially moving to within five points, considering this is their game in hand following a rescheduling due to the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
Milan’s Impressive Form and Title Ambitions
Milan boasts an impressive 23-match unbeaten streak in Serie A (15 wins, 8 draws). Historically, they’ve only enjoyed longer invincibility runs twice: 24 games between December 1950 and May 1951, and a remarkable 34-match stretch throughout the entire 1991-92 campaign. However, Opta’s supercomputer heavily favors Inter to win the Scudetto (89.9%), with Milan’s title chances currently estimated at 8.7%.
Allegri remains focused on Champions League qualification before contemplating a serious title challenge. “We are doing things well. Inter was the clear favorite for the title; they were alongside Napoli, and now they are even more so,” Allegri stated. “There are many games left. Juventus, Napoli, Roma, Como… we need to stay calm. When we are in the Champions League, we’ll see. We are not the only team in the fight for the title: 13 rounds remain, and anything can happen. We must be cautious both at the top and at the bottom. We shouldn’t waste energy on things happening outside. Now it’s time to focus.”
Recent Encounter and Como’s Rising Threat
The teams last met last month, with Milan securing a 3-1 away victory despite a strong performance from Cesc Fàbregas’s Como. A win at the San Siro could propel Como into European contention, and Allegri has been effusive in his praise for their rivals. “There’s no debate. I believe Como and Fàbregas are doing an excellent job. They are in the Champions League race,” Allegri added. “They’ve done a great job in a short amount of time, so we can only congratulate them. There are moments when you play well and others not so much. For Milan, it’s important to get results through performances, which can be good or not so good. The main objective is to reach the Champions League.”
Players to Watch
- AC Milan – Luka Modrić: Following his goal against Pisa, Modrić could score in consecutive appearances for the third time in his career in the top five European leagues.
- Como – Nico Paz: Paz’s last four Serie A goals have come away from home, including a brace in his most recent away match against Lazio.
Match Prediction: Milan to Prevail
Milan is undefeated in their last 14 Serie A matches against Como (9 wins, 5 draws), winning each of the last five encounters with an aggregate score of 11-4. They’ve also won their last two Serie A games against teams from Lombardy (1-0 against Inter, 3-1 against Como). However, Como has won each of their last three league games away from home (3-0 victories against Lecce, Pisa, and Lazio), and a win here would mark their first-ever four-game winning streak on the road in Serie A.
Despite Como’s impressive away form, Milan holds a historical advantage. Among the current top seven Serie A teams, only Roma (five) has fewer points than Como (six in seven matches); furthermore, Como has scored the fewest goals (four) in those encounters.
Opta’s Probability of Victory
- AC Milan – 42.7%
- Draw – 26.8%
- Como – 30.6%
Source: FotMob
