Capello: Milan´s top-four place in Serie A far from guaranteed

Former AC Milan boss Fabio Capello has warned Massimiliano Allegri’s team that their place in Serie A’s top four is not guaranteed despite a strong start to their campaign.

Milan are second in the top-flight standings and just a point adrift of rivals and leaders Inter, with current Scudetto holders Napoli also in with a chance of retaining their crown.

Since replacing Sergio Conceicao in May, Allegri has always said Milan’s main ambition should be to return to the Champions League, having missed out on Europe’s premier competition after finishing eighth in Serie A last season.

The Rossoneri are handed an 80.7% chance of finishing in the top four this season, according to the Opta supercomputer’s season simulations, with only Inter (95.5%) more fancied to claim a Champions League spot.

However, just three points separate Milan and fifth-placed Juventus, while Bologna, Como, Lazio and Atalanta are aiming to gatecrash the Serie A top four from further back.

“Milan have to be careful about their Champions League spot. It will be a good fight. Juve, over their last few games, have been fast, aggressive,” Capello said.

“I’ve seen changes on the pitch, balls being played vertically, and they have playmakers who can make the difference.

“Roma are missing a centre-forward, but if they get [Joshua] Zirkzee, that could solve it.

“He has conviction, strength, desire, and when he played against Juve, he showed that he was on the same level.”

Milan return to Serie A action this Sunday when they welcome Hellas Verona to Stadio Giuseppe Meazza after a disappointing Supercoppa Italiana campaign in Saudi Arabia.

Allegri’s men were beaten 2-0 by Napoli in their semi-final, with David Neres and Rasmus Hojlund on target in what proved to be a one-sided affair.

Indeed, Milan suffered a defeat without scoring, while conceding at least two goals, for the first time since a 2-0 league defeat to Juventus back in January.

And Capello, who won the Supercoppa Italiana three times during his time at Milan, accused Allegri of not fielding his strong starting lineup against Napoli.

“The players seem unconvinced, as if they wanted to get this tournament out of the way to work on the league,” Capello added.

“I didn’t like it. Milan are second, they aren’t in any other cups and can plan their own schedule.

“Even Allegri didn’t convince me. He didn’t field his best team, though it’s true that a coach wants to make everyone feel involved.”