GdS: €15m and a less crowded February – why top eight in the UCL is vital

AC Milan had probably written off ideas of a top-eight finish in the Champions League after the opening few fixtures. However, it is now a real possibility. 

The losses to Liverpool and Leverkusen left a real sour taste in the mouths of Milan fans, and hopes of qualification to the next round faded. A win against Real Madrid changed things massively though, all of a sudden, the hope came back about a top-eight finish.

For the club, it is a dream situation, and Gazzetta dello Sport have looked into why this is the case.

Starting with the big incentive: money. Prize money in the final 16 is at least €15 million, which of course, increases with how deep into the competition you go, so this would help the mid-season revolution greatly.

For example, that aid could be the difference in signing Santiago Gimenez this month, compared to in the summer.

The other big issue is scheduling. If the Rossoneri finish in the top eight, they avoid a Round of 16 qualification play-off, which is another two games to add to an already hectic February schedule. With the squad already looking thin in some areas, any avoidable extra minutes are like gold dust, so Sergio Conceicao will be going all out for a top-eight finish.