AC Milan’s prospects of qualifying for the Champions League next season are hanging by a thread, and their chances of returning to Europe’s premier club tournament may now be dependent on Juventus’ case and a potential fresh points punishment.
A fresh judgement in a matter involving Juventus’ transfer dealings is likely on Monday, after Italy’s top sports authority reversed a decision to punish the Turin club 15 points in April, ordering a new hearing.
According to Italian media, the new punishment would most likely be a nine-point deduction, which may be imposed to the current season or postponed until the 2023-24 season.
If the punishment is implemented immediately, Juventus will slip from second to third in Serie A with 69 points, trailing AC Milan.
Milan, who were knocked out in the Champions League semis by neighbours Inter Milan on Tuesday, will hope this is the case after another disappointing display in a shock 2-0 loss by lowly Spezia last weekend kept them fifth on 61 points.
They have won only two of their last seven league games and are four points off struggling Lazio in fourth.
Lazio have themselves won only once within the past month, but their previous unbeaten run of seven wins in eight games earned them some breathing space.
Milan, who host already-relegated Sampdoria on Saturday, need to win their three remaining games and hope one of the teams above them stumbles.
Sampdoria should pose a limited threat. They have gained 18 points so far and will end the campaign with their lowest Serie A points total since the league adopted three points for a win in 1994–95.
Juventus face a Europa League semi-final second-leg trip to Sevilla on Thursday, with the tie poised at 1-1.
A victory in the final would ensure a spot in next season’s Champions League and would push their top-four worries into the background.
“We only have to think about what happens on the pitch; it’s a game to play, and the whole team wants to reach the final,” coach Massimiliano Allegri told a press conference ahead of Thursday’s clash.
However, amid uncertainty over their situation, Juve will want to bag three points in Serie A when they travel to 14th-placed Empoli on Monday.
Juventus have won all five away matches against Empoli under Allegri.
Juve are unbeaten in their last four games (with three wins) and have won the joint most games against sides currently in the bottom half of the table this season (14, level with Napoli and Inter).
Champions Napoli host third-placed Inter Milan on Sunday, when Lazio travel to 12th-placed Udinese.
Jose Mourinho’s sixth-placed AS Roma take on Salernitana at home on Monday.
