CorSport: Conceicao and Motta at risk – Milan and Juventus face ‘dangerous bottleneck’
At present it seems certain that one of either AC Milan or Juventus will miss out on the Champions League, possibly both, and that will cause major changes.
As Corriere dello Sport writes this morning, the success of LaLiga teams in European competitions are in fact closing the door on Serie A sides. The Spanish league is establishing a gap in second place in the coefficient rankings, and so there will be no fifth place UCL qualification for the Italians.
At the moment, the possibility that both Milan and Juve miss out cannot be ruled out, something that has never happened since the competition was called the Champions League. To find a similar situation, we have to go back to 1991-92 when one team from each country participated, in that case Sampdoria.
The Bianconeri and Rossoneri have won 11 of the last 14 league titles (nine for Juve and two for Milan), but are in big danger in the bottleneck that has been created for 4th place. In fact, Lazio, Bologna, Fiorentina and now Roma are also in the running.
Milan are eight points behind and today must beat Como at San Siro to avoid raising the white flag, but they could close the gap because Bologna-Lazio and Fiorentina-Juve also take place this weekend. Either way, Sergio Conceicao and Thiago Motta are under pressure.
It is often said that the ‘accounts Scudetto’ is now earned by going to the Champions League rather than by winning the title. This is demonstrated by the paths of the Italian teams in the 2024-25 edition: Bologna has earned €36m, Milan €59m, Juventus €63m, Atalanta €65m and Inter €100m.
In addition to the bonus for participation (€18.6m) and that relating to the final position in the big league phase, there is the money generated by the results in individual matches, those of the various steps achieved (playoffs, round of 16, quarter-finals, etc.), plus historical ranking and market pool.
The cases of Juve and Milan are emblematic: despite having both fallen earlier than they hoped in their campaigns (play-off round), with only 10 matches played they have earned a figure close to or slightly above €60m, a loot to which sponsor revenues and box office takings must be added.
There is a lot of money at stake, as confirmed by the 2023-24 budget for Juventus, which closed with €200m in losses also due to the lack of UEFA revenue in the season that they missed out due to a points penalty, costing them €80-100m.
The repercussions are also on the sporting side: going to the Champions League not only helps to keep the accounts in order, but guarantees continuity in competitiveness. Milan have participated in the last four editions, increasing its turnover, having been out of it for seven consecutive years prior.
The Champions League will determine the ambitions of the two owners; it will establish, for example, how much money can be invested in the market and also which coaches will arrive. Qualification will be vital to the survival of Motta’s project, but Conceicao seems destined to leave already.
Topics
-
GdS: ‘The Diavolo’s pride’ – why Conceicao and Milan are not giving up on Europe
AC Milan are back in action at San Siro tonight against Como with one mission: win to keep the hopes of a European place alive.As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) writes this morning, Sergio ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
CorSera: ‘Are you kidding?’ – Milan and defiant Conceicao battling external noise
For weeks, there have been many rumours of various kinds circulating around AC Milan regarding the future of the club, but the present is what counts.As Corriere della Sera (via MilanNews) writes ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Moretto: Renewal ‘highly unlikely’ for Conceicao as Milan exit looms – “99.9%”
Sergio Conceicao’s contract with AC Milan will expire in the summer and it’s 99.9% certain that it won’t be renewed, according to Matteo Moretto and Fabrizio Romano. Conceicao joined Milan in l...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
CorSport: Conceicao will use international break to orchestrate ultimate Milan comeback
AC Milan managed to clinch all three points against Como last night and as highlighted in the papers this morning, Sergio Conceicao will use the international break to prepare for what could be a ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Report – Bayern Munich Face Two Major Injury Concerns Ahead Of Champions League Quarter-Final Clash Vs Inter Milan
Kim Min-jae and Manuel Neuer are reportedly at risk of missing Bayern Munich’s Champions League quarter-final tie against Inter Milan.According to FCInterNews, the former Napoli defender could be ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Report – Netherlands Center-Back Set To Skip Atalanta Vs Inter Milan Serie A Showdown Due To Knee Injury
Star defender Stefan de Vrij could miss tomorrow’s season-defining Serie A meeting between Atalanta and Inter Milan.According to Corriere dello Sport via FCInterNews, the ex-Lazio ace has failed to ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
CorSport: Maignan renewal delayed as Milan will consult new sporting director
Despite reaching an agreement with Mike Maignan over a contract renewal, AC Milan have decided to delay the signature as they want the input of their next sporting director, a report ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Juventus Player Ratings vs Fiorentina: Fagioli Slays Thiago Motta
Seven days removed from their beatdown at the hands of Atalanta, Juventus were on the receiving end of another pummelling, this time courtesy of familiar faces. One could only wonder if the ...Yahoo Sports - 15h -
Video – France Star’s Goals For Inter Milan & AC Milan “Ctrl+V” Copies In Serie A & Champions League
Inter Milan wrapped up qualification for the Champions League quarterfinals against Feyenoord.The Nerazzurri had already had a 2-0 advantage from the first leg of their round of sixteen tie. And ...Yahoo Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Yahoo Sports AM: Brackets revealed
In today's edition: Brackets revealed, Bengals lock up Chase and Higgins, 17-year-old wins at Indian Wells, the Hanshin Tigers steal the show, playoff at The Players, and more.Yahoo Sports - 6m -
Yahoo Sports AM: Brackets revealed
In today's edition: Brackets revealed, Bengals lock up Chase and Higgins, 17-year-old wins at Indian Wells, the Hanshin Tigers steal the show, playoff at The Players, and more.Yahoo Sports - 6m -
Tennessee versus Wofford basketball March Madness time, TV details in NCAA Tournament
A look at television and game information for Tennessee's first-round basketball matchup in the NCAA Tournament against Wofford.Yahoo Sports - 6m -
Tennessee versus Wofford basketball March Madness time, TV details in NCAA Tournament
A look at television and game information for Tennessee's first-round basketball matchup in the NCAA Tournament against Wofford.Yahoo Sports - 6m -
Red Wings Weekly News Recap: Post 2025 Trade Deadline
While nagging can build frustration, a little reminder never hurt anyone.Yahoo Sports - 14m
More in Sports
-
Source: Pulisic in talks over new AC Milan deal
United States national team star Christian Pulisic is in negotiations with AC Milan over a new contract, a source has told ESPN.ESPN - 2m -
What do the first two rounds of a perfect draft look like?
Tristan H. Cockcroft and Eric Karabell reveal their ideal outcomes.ESPN - 4m -
What do the first two rounds of a perfect draft look like?
Tristan H. Cockcroft and Eric Karabell reveal their ideal outcomes.ESPN - 4m -
Norris' narrow Australian GP win over Verstappen belies McLaren dominance
Lando Norris won by just 0.8 second in Australia, but McLaren is a class apart from the F1 field.ESPN - 5m -
Josh Berry gets first career Cup Series win at Vegas
Josh Berry raced to the first Cup Series victory of his career, taking NASCAR's oldest team to victory lane Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.ESPN - 5m