Milan is aiming to overtake Inter, without declaring it openly to avoid reinforcing the dualism of the championship fight.
"The ranking is partial and we don't care", Stefano Pioli minimizes on the eve of the match against Crotone.
But the goal is clear because, after a week full of "tactical and physical, useful and intense work", for Milan "it would be important to return to the top in the standings".
The Rossoneri cannot be wrong, they must take advantage of the favorable calendar and the affordable challenges on paper with Crotone and Spezia, before the Europa League tour de force, derby and Rome.
Every match is decisive in a very open championship.
"We are halfway up the climb - Pioli warns - and the most difficult slopes have yet to come. In the second round the goals are getting closer and the teams will be even more motivated. our opponents ".
No brownouts for anyone.
The ranking is short, nothing has been decided.
Indeed, for Pioli there is not only a long-distance duel with Inter.
We must also beware of Rome, Juventus, Atalanta, Naples and Lazio.
"All the top seven teams in the standings have a chance to win the Scudetto and make it to the Champions League. We have to fear them until the end.
Probable formations of Milan-Crotone.
Milan (4-2-3-1): 99 G.Donnarumma;
2 Calabria, 13 A. Romagnoli, 23 Tomori, 19 T. Hernandez;
79 Kessie, 8 Tonali;
56 Saelemaekers, 10 Calhanoglu, 17 Leao;
11 Ibrahimovic.
(90 A.Donnarumma, 1 Tatarusanu, 5 Dalot, 20 Kalulu, 4 Bennacer, 15 Hauge, 33 Krunic, 12 Rebic, 18 Meite, 7 Castillejo, 27 Maldini, 9 Mandzukic).
Coach: Pioli.
Disqualified: none.
Warning: Calabria.
Unavailable: B. Diaz, Gabbia, Kjaer.
Crotone (3-5-2).
1 Cordaz;
6 Magallan, 5 Golemic, 13 Luperto;
33 Rispoli, 10 Benali, 21 Zanellato, 77 Vulic, 69 Reca;
54 Di Carmine, 7 Ounas.
(16 Festa, 22 Crespi, 34 Marrone, 24 D'Aprile, 26 Djidji, 20 Rojas, 23 Mazzotta, 44 Petriccione, 95 Eduardo Enrique, 11 Dragus, 25 Simy, 97 Riviére).
Coach: Stroppa.
Disqualified: Messias.
Warning: Pedro Pereira.
Unavailable: Cigarini, Cuomo, Molina.
Referee: L.Pairetto di Nichelino.
Snai odds: 1.24;
6.50;
11.00.