Former Milan striker Alberto Gilardino has pointed out that there are no ‘easy’ fixtures in the league, despite Inter taking on three bottom-five teams in the final matches of the season – Empoli, Cagliari and Sampdoria.
The Rossoneri have the harder fixtures on paper, comparatively, as they travel twice, to Hellas Verona and Sassuolo, sandwiched with a San Siro encounter against Atalanta.
The former Fiorentina and Parma marksman spoke to the microphones of La Gazzetta dello Sport and shed his thoughts on a variety of topics, including who he feels will be decisive for both Inter and Milan as the season’s climax approaches.
“The match against Verona on Sunday is the most difficult for Pioli, although Atalanta, who will then come to the San Siro, should not be underestimated. Inter can find difficulties in Cagliari. But in the last three it’s difficult to win anywhere and against anyone,” he said (via SempreInter).
The 39-year-old then picked out two veterans from each side as instrumental figures for the final three clashes, perhaps counting into play their heightened experience on the footballing stage.
“I hope Ibrahimovic will be the man of the grand finale for Milan, even more so if he decides to quit: the Scudetto would be the crowning achievement of his great career. On the other side I say Dzeko, always decisive.”
However, he still believes that his former outfit are clear favorites to grab their first league title in over a decade.
Gilardino said: “With two points more than Inter, Milan are still the favourites: at this point in the season, it’s an advantage that can be decisive.”
Inter start this match week by taking on Empoli first on Friday, before Milan travel to Veneto for their Sunday evening encounter against Hellas Verona.