Milan anxiety growing as just six points separate third from sixth
The sudden Milan collapse means the race for the top four is more open than ever, with just six points separating third from sixth, but Atalanta fall behind.
We are only midway through Serie A Week 32, and yet the situation is already taking shape to set up a thrilling end to the season.
It had been assumed for so long that Inter, Milan and Napoli were in their own title race, while it would be a battle between Juventus, Como, Roma and Atalanta for the fourth and final Champions League spot.
However, back-to-back defeats have seen the Rossoneri slide out of the top two for the first time since Week 11, and the situation is getting tense.
Milan no longer confident of top four
Juventus won 1-0 away to Atalanta, effectively detaching La Dea from the fight for fourth as they now sit at least seven points adrift of that position.
Roma also swept Pisa aside 3-0, so regardless of what result Como get against Inter on Sunday, the situation sees only six points separating Milan in third from Roma in sixth place.
If Como manage to beat the leaders, then Max Allegri will have Cesc Fabregas just two points behind and Luciano Spalletti within three points.
The fixture list is also setting up a dramatic finale, because there are still quite a few direct clashes to come, including Roma vs. Atalanta in Week 33, Milan vs. Juventus in Week 34, Como vs. Napoli in Week 35 and Milan vs. Atalanta in Week 36.
Serie A Table
| Rank | Teams | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inter | 31 | 72 |
| 2 | Napoli | 31 | 65 |
| 3 | Milan | 32 | 63 |
| 4 | Juventus | 32 | 60 |
| 5 | Como | 31 | 58 |
| 6 | Roma | 32 | 57 |
| 7 | Atalanta | 32 | 53 |