The Serie A title race is on the rise: Milan's two-pronged Devil's schedule, Juve's one-line superiority is clear

After eight rounds of Serie A, AC Milan are first in the Serie A table with 21 points, Inter Milan is second with 19 points and Juventus are third with 17 points. As for defending champions Napoli, who have lost two games this season, they are currently fifth in Serie A with 14 points, while fourth place is Fiorentina with 17 points from Juventus after the victory over Napoli in the eighth round. At present, it seems that there are only three teams most likely to win the Serie A title this season, that is, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus, the northern three, and this season's Serie A title race is likely to repeat the scene of AC Milan and Juventus, two former Holy Alliance allies, besieging Inter Milan.

AC Milan, 7 wins, 1 loss and 21 points in first place. The Milan derby in the fourth round has become a watershed moment for the Milan duo, except that it is not the traditional drama of the winner reaching the top and the loser being lost, but the opposite: the victory Inter Milan has two Serie A games without a win, while the losing AC Milan have since maintained a complete victory in Serie A and overtaken Inter in the standings. Originally, after the Milan derby, the Serie A title was already considered Inter's pocket, but after four rounds, the ownership of the Serie A title became confusing again.

AC Milan won all four Serie A games after losing to Inter 1:5 in the fourth round, 1:0 Verona, 3:1 Cagliari, 2:0 Lazio and 1:0 Genoa. Especially in the 8th round away to Genoa, in the face of the stubborn defense of the home team, relying on Christian Pulisic's goal to kill the opponent, especially after goalkeeper Meignan was sent off with a red card, the guest goalkeeper Giroud actually saved the opponent's must-score, which boosted the morale of the team.

It's just that AC Milan's recent good form is about to be interrupted by a new round of national team matchdays, and after that, AC Milan will have a round of Devil's fixtures. From 23 October to 11 November, AC Milan will play six matches over 20 days, against top teams such as Juventus (home), Paris Saint-Germain (away), Napoli (away), Udinese (home), Paris Saint-Germain (home) and Lecce (away), including top teams such as Juventus, Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain (two legs).

What AC Milan can achieve in the league and Champions League this season is crucial in this devil's performance. It's just that the situation may not be ideal for AC Milan, on the one hand, because the first two Champions League games have not won, and then facing Paris Saint-Germain, the strongest in the group, AC Milan must score at least 3 points, otherwise the group qualification is basically hopeless; On the other hand, goalkeeper Menion went red against Genoa and Te'o was suspended with a yellow card, both of whom will miss AC Milan and Juventus. If AC Milan can survive this Devil's schedule, they will have a good chance of winning the Serie A title this season.

Inter Milan, 6 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss and 19 points are second. After beating AC Milan 5:1 in the fourth round of Serie A, I originally thought that Inter would ride away, but after being taught a lesson by Real Sociedad in the Champions League, Inter returned to Serie A but suddenly became unable to play. Inter's difficult 1-0 win away at Empoli was already overwhelmed by the home game against Sassuolo, who suffered their first defeat of the season in the second half after Dumfries scored a lucky world wave lead in the first half.

The 4-0 win away at Salernitana was followed by Lautaro's personal show, followed by a goal scored by Thuram Jr. 1-0 in the Champions League, and apart from Lautaro and Thuram Jr., the rest of Inter players began to become incapable of scoring. In the eighth round, Inter were forced to draw at home by Bologna after leading by two goals in the opening 13 minutes, which was even more shocking. The loss of points in two consecutive home games against Sassuolo and Bologna, two mid-table teams, is a huge blow to Inter's title plans.

Inter will also play six games in 20 days, against Torino (away), Red Bull Salzburg (home), Roma (home), Atalanta (away), Red Bull Salzburg (away) and Frosinone (home). Among them, the three games away from home to Red Bull Salzburg and Serie A against Roma and Atalanta are more difficult, but they are still much easier than AC Milan's Devil's Arena.

If Inter can secure early qualification for the Champions League group during this period, overtake AC Milan in the league table and try to widen the point difference, they will still be the strongest contenders for the Serie A title this season. On the other hand, if Inter do not open the gap with AC Milan, Juventus, or even fall behind their opponents during this period, the road to the title this season will be extremely difficult, because after this Inter will have Juventus (November 27), Benfica, Napoli, Udinese, Real Sociedad, Lazio (December 18) on the devil's schedule.

Juventus, with 5 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss and 17 points, are third. Quietly, Juventus have moved to third place in Serie A, with single-line Juventus beating Udinese, Empoli, Lazio, Lecce and Torino this season, drawing Bologna and Atalanta and only losing away to Sassuolo. In the 21 days from October 23 to November 12, Juventus played only four games against AC Milan, Verona, Fiorentina and Cagliari, of which AC Milan and Fiorentina were stronger, but both teams had European assignments, while Juventus played on a single line.

Also in the 20 days from November 27 to December 16, Juventus only have four games, against Inter, Monza, Napoli and Genoa, and its Chinese and Napoli are Juventus' direct rivals for the title, but both have European tasks, and Juve are playing at home, with obvious advantages.

For now, missing out on Europe this season will be Juventus' biggest advantage in the title. Another point that has to be mentioned is that Pogba will be banned because of the use of banned drugs, and Juventus can even take the opportunity to shake off Pogba's huge financial baggage, the highest annual salary in Serie A. Juventus without Pogba has thoroughly established Rabiot's centrality in midfield, which is a good thing in a way.

If Napoli can adjust to their form as soon as possible, they may still have a chance to participate in the Serie A championship battle, otherwise it will only be up to the northern three to win the title, and as for the three teams of Atalanta, Roma and Lazio, it is more realistic to compete for a Champions League place.

AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus, which team do you like the most to win?

Note: The picture comes from the web.