The title dream "fades", but Milan's regrets are not with Napoli

2026-04-07 15:14:00, Sport CNA

The defeat to Napoli has had consequences for Milan, both in terms of the standings and in terms of their performance on the pitch. Coach Massimiliano Allegri admitted after the match that the team could have tried to change the pace of the game around the 60th minute, before conceding the goal that decided the result.

This moment is considered crucial for the outcome of the match and, in a broader sense, for the title race. The 9-point gap with Inter makes it very difficult to recover in the remaining weeks of the championship.

However, Milan's main objective remains qualification for the Champions League, a goal that seems achievable at this stage of the season.

Despite the defeat to Napoli, this was Milan's first defeat in a head-to-head match this season. The team has had positive results against their main rivals, winning two derbies against Inter.

Milan also picked up a win and a draw against Roma, while drawing 0-0 against Juventus in the first leg.

However, the points lost to teams at the bottom of the table have significantly affected the current position. Defeats such as those to Cremonese in the first week and to Parma have significantly reduced the chances of staying in the title race. These results are considered more decisive than the defeat to Napoli itself.

In the analysis of the match at "Maradona", attention was also paid to the management of the players in the attacking phase. The late activation of Rafael Leao has raised questions, while Pulisicc continues to fail to find the net in 2026. On the other hand, Fulkrug has contributed more in the defensive phase, while Santiago Gimenez, activated later, managed to be more present in the opposing area.

Another element discussed is the team's tactical approach. The possibility of playing with three forwards at certain moments of the match is seen as an alternative that could have been used, especially with the availability of dynamic midfielders like Rabiot and Fofana, as well as a playmaker like Modric.

The match against Napoli showed a difference in form between the two teams, while Napoli confirmed the positive momentum. At the same time, coach Antonio Conte remains one of the main rivals in the title race, putting pressure on the championship leaders in the final stages of the season.