AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli has changed his stance on the Italian Serie A title for this season after his team's recent run.
Pioli was asked about the Scudetto in his pre-match presser ahead of the trip to face relegation threatened Parma on Saturday evening and his response was of someone who knows Italian football top flight leaders Inter Milan are almost home and dry as far as the Serie A title is concerned.
The Milan boss told reporters that they are the ones pushing the league title narrative on the Rossoneri and that the wind blows away the words.
The current stance is different from the one he had shortly after the 3-2 win over Fiorentina shortly before the international break. As at then, Pioli told reporters that Milan will fight for the Italian football top flight title. It looks like the disappointing 1-1 draw with Sampdoria has changed his perspective. The draw ensured that second place Milan now trail their city rivals Inter Milan by 11 points ahead of the remainder of the season.
Inter Milan were eight points clear of Milan before a win in their rescheduled game at home to Sassuolo in midweek took the Nerazzuri 11 points clear at the top of the table. RomeluLukaku and Lautaro Martinez were on target to give Inter a 2-1 victory over Sassuolo.
Milan have nine games and a maximum of 27 points to try and stop Inter from winning the league title.
Pioli informed reporters about the target for Milan between now and the rest of the season in his presser ahead of the Parma game. According to him, the target is to qualify for the Champions League rather than win the league title. Only the first four places on the Serie A table will guarantee Champions League football ahead of the new season.
Milan are in second position with 60 points and they have four points more than Napoli in fifth place. Serie A holders Juventus and Atalanta are in third and fourth position respectively with 59 points and 58 points. With Inter Milan almost guaranteed a place in the Champions League next season, AC Milan, Juventus, Napoli and Atlanta will fight for the remaining three Champions League spots between now and the end of the season.
Capital clubs Lazio and AS Roma are also still in a position to make a late charge towards a Champions League spot at the end of the season.