Why can Milan still win Serie A?

Even after beating Inter, Milan is still 7 points behind Inter, a very challenging deficit to overcome. But the title chase is still ongoing, and chances are still present. Even if it's just a small percentage of hope, Milan retains the right and legitimate grounds to aspire.

First, the psychological impact from the double victory over Inter cannot be overlooked. This marks the first time since the 2010-11 season, when Milan won the title under the young version of coach Max Allegri. This detail is crucial because mentioning it evokes memories of the Scudetto, and Allegri's team will feel obligated to think about the championship. Not as a goal, but as a reward for a season of effort to rebound after failure.

The mental factor plays a role as significant as technical skills when the season enters the tense final stretch, demanding maximum focus and winning determination. The derby result may have shifted confidence from Inter to Milan. 27 years ago, Milan won all 7 final matches of the 1998-99 season to overcome a 7-point gap with Lazio and clinch the title in the last round. Four years ago, they also executed a perfect sprint by conceding only 2 goals in the last 10 matches to surpass Inter and win the championship based on head-to-head performance.

Can Milan win all 10 remaining matches? Absolutely possible. The derby victory could help them better recognize their own strength, a concept Allegri has been trying to instill for months. The essence of Milan's setbacks this season, which keep them in second place despite beating Inter twice, is losing concentration at certain moments. If they completely eliminate any lapse in focus, Milan can win all matches. The confidence gained from defeating Inter will be very useful. The Scudetto pressure now rests entirely on Inter, not Milan, and every stumble by Nerazzurri will further boost Milan's morale.

Another positive aspect for Milan currently is that Allegri has an almost optimal squad. The most notable absence is defender Matteo Gabbia until late March, but Koni De Winter has shown continuous improvement recently, proving he can effectively replace Gabbia's defensive leadership role. Forward Santiago Gimenez is about to return. Ruben Loftus-Cheek's absence until early May deprives Allegri of a valuable option who can make a difference from the bench, but it's not a major concern as Youssouf Fofana is performing well and the midfield is very robust. The key task is to preserve the squad, avoiding serious injuries, especially in crucial positions.

The journey to the end of the season may seem equally challenging for Milan and Inter, but the immediate schedule places Inter under significantly greater pressure than Milan. From now until mid-April, Inter faces three teams fighting for Champions League spots (Atalanta, Roma, Como) and one team battling to avoid relegation (Fiorentina). All are critical matches for both sides, with a very high risk of dropping points. Meanwhile, Milan will meet Lazio, Udinese—teams theoretically without specific objectives—alongside Napoli, a direct competitor for the second spot, and Verona, a relegation contender. It's certainly difficult, but theoretically more manageable than Inter's schedule.

These four rounds could reshape the entire season for Inter and Milan. Let's wait and see what unfolds.