ALL IN PRIMAVERA

Beating Ascoli was essential in keeping AC Milan's playoff hopes alive as the Rossoneri Primavera pulled through with a 2-0 win away from home. Nearly all of the Rossoneri's direct rivals won too though, save for SPAL (now just one point ahead of AC Milan), who currently occupy the position just below the playoff places. With three matchdays left until the end of the season, with only a top-six finish securing a place in the playoffs, it's still all to play for but will be a tough ask.

The margin for error is now reduced to its exact minimum. AC Milan will need to take nine points from a possible nine and hope that two or more opponents slip up. So, one obstacle at a time and first up is Fiorentina. In terms of the schedule, there are only ten days left until the regular season ends - three games in a week: AC Milan v Fiorentina on Wednesday 9 June at 17:00 CEST, Roma v AC Milan on Sunday 13 June at 15:00 CEST and AC Milan v Genoa on Wednesday 16 June.

The Viola, who are currently coached by former AC Milan man Aquilani, will be a decisive test. Fiorentina might have performed under expectations this season but they did manage to win the Coppa Italia, beating the Diavolo in the round of 16. May Vismara bring us that home advantage, as has often been the case.

Going back to that win in Ascoli, Capone's third goal this season and Tolomello's first goal in competitive football at this level are both worthy of a mention. The latter, born in 2002, found this bit of personal joy following Robotti doing the same against Bologna. This group knows how to work its way out of trouble, thanks to the evident collective and individual growth during these months, regardless of final standings. Also, because the playoffs are so close, we have to view this as clear growth following an excellent girone di ritorno until this point.  

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