Title within touching distance, says Milan boss

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri admitted the Serie A title is within touching distance ahead of his team's clash against Bologna on Sunday.

Anything other than an Inter Milan victory at Cesena on Saturday night would mean Milan can wrap up the scudetto crown on Sunday, with three games to spare.

And Allegri said there was no denying they have almost secured an 18th league championship, bringing them level with their neighbours.

"There's no point hiding from the reality, if Inter don't win tonight, we'll win the title," he said.

"But we have to concentrate on our own result. After Bologna there's Roma, Cagliari and Udinese and those are teams who don't give you anything."

"Especially Roma and Udinese who are fighting for important objectives (Champions League qualification)."

"Our lads have worked hard up until now and shown that they want to win the league. We won't let our guard down or allow distractions."

As and when Milan do wrap up the title, it will be a remarkable achievement for Allegri in his first season at the club and only his third in Serie A.

"For me winning the title would be a starting point for the beginning of my career," he said.

"It's an end in the sense that arriving at Milan after two years (in Serie A) is very satisfying because there's only one Milan in the world."

"But if everything goes well then I think it would be an over-simplification to say it's the moment I arrived."

But Allegri did have a word of warning for his players that they still have to go out and beat Bologna, which he says won't be easy.

"We don't have a lot of pressure, we just need to stay calm and concentrate on tomorrow's game," he added.

"We know Bologna play well, they were even penalised three points and did well away from home.

"Our attitude needs to be top drawer with the right energy. We have to give our maximum in every game because we haven't mathematically won the title."