AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri has once again stressed that the club's top priority this season is securing qualification for the UEFA Champions League, as the Rossoneri prepare to host Como in a high-stakes Serie A fixture.

Milan have the opportunity to close the gap on league leaders Inter to just five points, should they win their game in hand—a rearranged fixture due to the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. However, Allegri remains grounded, focusing on steady progress rather than immediate title ambitions.

"We are doing good things. Inter were the clear title favourites; they were the favourites with Napoli, and now they are even more," Allegri said. "There are still many games remaining. Juve, Napoli, Roma, Como. We have to remain calm. Once we are in the Champions League, we’ll see. We aren’t the only ones fighting for the title: 13 games remain and anything can still happen. Caution is needed at both ends of the table."

Impressive Unbeaten Run

Milan are currently riding an impressive 23-match unbeaten streak in Serie A (W15, D8)—their longest in a single season since the legendary 34-match run in 1991–92. The only other time they achieved a longer stretch was a 24-game run between December 1950 and May 1951.

Despite this form, the Opta supercomputer gives Inter an 89.9% chance of winning the Scudetto, while Milan's title hopes stand at just 8.7%. This statistical reality reinforces Allegri’s cautious approach.

Respecting Como's Rise

Como, under the leadership of former Arsenal star Cesc Fàbregas, have emerged as surprise contenders, with a win at San Siro potentially pushing them into the European qualification spots. Allegri praised their progress, acknowledging the remarkable work done in a short time.

"There’s no debate. I think Como and Fabregas are doing an excellent job. They are in the race for the Champions League," Allegri added. "They’ve done a great job in a short time, so we can only congratulate them."

The two sides met just last month, with Milan edging to a 3-1 away win despite Como dominating large portions of the game. This time, the Lariani arrive in strong away form, having won their last three road matches 3–0 against Lecce, Pisa, and Lazio.

Key Players to Watch

For AC Milan, veteran midfielder Luka Modrić could score in consecutive top European league appearances for only the third time in his career, following goalscoring runs in January 2019 and December 2020 during his Real Madrid tenure.

On the other side, Como’s 2004-born rising star Nico Paz has found form on the road, scoring his last four Serie A goals away from home—including a brace in a recent 3–0 win at Lazio. He now has the chance to score in consecutive away matches for the first time.

Match Statistics and Prediction

Milan have dominated the historical head-to-head, remaining unbeaten in their last 14 league encounters with Como (W9, D5), winning the last five in a row by a combined score of 11–4. They have also won their last two matches against Lombardy rivals (1–0 vs Inter, 3–1 vs Como).

Statistically, the Rossoneri have earned 25 points from 11 matches against teams currently in the top half of the table—the joint-most in Serie A, level with Inter. However, Como’s recent defensive solidity and away prowess cannot be overlooked.

Despite Como’s momentum, Opta’s win probabilities favor Milan: 42.7% win chance, 26.8% for a draw, and 30.6% for a Como victory. A win would see Como record four consecutive away Serie A wins for the first time in their history, while Milan aim to sustain their push toward the summit.

"We must not waste energy on situations happening outside. Right now, blinkers are needed," concluded Allegri—summing up Milan’s focused, step-by-step approach as the season enters its decisive phase.