Four of them are already in the playoffs, but on the last day there is still the possibility of a poker match among the top 8 in Europe
Champions League, Italian League. With ninety minutes to go, three Italians in the top eight, Inter, Milan and Atalanta, with their destiny in their hands. A draw at home with Monaco would be enough for the Nerazzurri. For Conceiçao, success in Zagreb would mean a safe round of 16. The same goes for Gasperini who, however, has the most fearsome and away opponent: Barcelona. Finally Juve: the playoffs are arithmetic, in theory even the round of 16 would be possible with a favorable combination of results, but the problem is another. If this were the final ranking, in the playoffs the Bianconeri would be drawn with one of Bayern and Real Madrid. Nice perspective.
balance champions
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A ranking that is certainly the effect of the incredible balance on the pitch: yesterday, for example, Feyenoord buried Bayern under three goals, and City, losing to PSG, is out for now. But the wrong attitude in matches like those against Bruges, sincerely within Juve’s reach, cannot be minimized: instead of managing a draw, with a success Motta would actually be eighth. There is still a turn to change scenery, but it will be a week of thoughts.
Inter ahead
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The best situation is that of Inter. From the top of 16 points, and fourth place in the table, on par with Arsenal but with a worse goal difference, a draw is now enough. One point with Monaco, at San Siro, next Wednesday, to enter the G8 and avoid the playoffs. Success would give Inzaghi one of the four seeds, which is very important from a tennis-like scoreboard perspective leading to the final. With Monaco it will be anything but easy: the French have 13 points, are certainly in the playoffs and, with a victory, can dream of the round of 16. It will be a very open challenge, but Inter start with the advantage.
milan ok
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For Milan and Atalanta the situation is almost the same. In common, the fact that winning means round of 16. The difference is that Sergio Conceiçao has one point more than Gasperini, 15 to 14: a point that could be crucial to be in or out of the Top 8. Even from a calendar point of view, the Rossoneri are in better shape: away to Zagreb against new Dinamo of Cannavaro. Yesterday the Croatians were put down by Arsenal, a 3-0 with no excuses, but in the last match, and in front of their fans, they will risk everything: a success could take them to the playoffs. It will be very hot. Atalanta dream Speaking of opponents, on paper the worst is Atalanta: Barcelona won the Spanish Super Cup and overcame the deficit against Benfica twice, remaining in second place. The downside is that the Catalans are super-qualified for the round of 16 and Atalanta would also be in an excellent position in the playoff draw: psychologically free, the Nerazzurri, with their always aggressive attitude, could even surprise. Additional detail: a success against Barça would also help Inter who, by winning themselves, could improve their position in the standings.
Juve risk
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Looking at it now, Juve’s ranking is anything but reassuring. Seventeenth place with 12 points, safe playoffs, but they are even among the unseeded teams in the play-off draw. The mechanism (see article opposite) provides that 17th and 18th in the ranking are paired with 15th and 16th. At this moment the two potential rivals of Juve and Celtic (18th) would be Bayern and Real Madrid. Which? To be decided at the draw. A semi-final, rather than a playoff. The attitude seen with Stuttgart, Lille, Aston Villa, Bruges, always speculative, does not bode well. However, the final matchday calendar could adjust things a bit: Inter can help out against Monaco (10th), Feyenoord (11th) and Lille (12th) clash and therefore there will be a dispersion of points , Brest (13th) hosts Real Madrid, and Bayern hosts Slovan who are still scoreless. The ranking will not be the same. But Juve cannot fail in their last-gasp match against Benfica who, 21st with 10 points, cannot afford a drop in pace: they must win to confirm their place in the playoffs.
ranking: 2nd place
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The UEFA ranking was also good. Yesterday Inter and Milan won, on Tuesday two wins and a draw. No one with the same score. Spain lost the points to Girona, England those to City, Germany went down to Bayern. At the moment we are still in second place in the seasonal rankings: the Premier League leads with a coefficient of 15.3, we follow with 13.9, Spain is third with 13.6, while Portugal, Belgium, Germany and France are starting to pull away. The road is long, but the race for the fifth Champions League team is not an illusion but a concrete objective. Now the last round with 19 games at the same time, unless Young Boys-Red Star and Sturm-Leipzig, without playoff interests, are brought forward. A Wednesday like champions. With Italy in the front row.
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