Serie A: 4 Reasons AC Milan Will Be Champions of Italy

The race for the Scudetto is as fascinating as it has been for many years.

AC Milan will look to defend their crowd from last season but it will be tough. The Rossoneri are behind Juventus but also face a legitimate challenge from Udinese and Lazio. Roma and Inter Milan seem to be too far back, but nothing is impossible. I feel Massimiliano Allegri will be able to lead his side through this tough spell and win Serie A.

Here are five reasons why Milanistas should be optimistic. 

Experience

There is a glaring difference between the champions and their closest rival, Juventus.

The Rossoneri possess numerous players who have already won the Scudetto and will be calm under the inevitable pressure in the closing weeks of the season.

Massimiliano Allegri has the tactical nous to be able to overcome plenty of obstacles that will come his way in the remainder of the season.

Thus far, Allegri has dealt with a monumental injury pile up with as many as 11 players out injured at a time.

Alexandre Pato, Antonio Cassano, Kevin Prince Boateng, Alberto Aquilani, Mario Yepes, Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso, Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Merkel are all currently out injured.

Milan have overcome these injuries to be only one point behind Juventus at the top of Serie A with the crucial fixture between the sides at the San Siro still to come.

The nucleus of last season's title winning side is still in place and they will be mentally tough enough to hunt down Juventus to claim a second title under Allegri's tenure.

Strength in Depth

Milan possess strength in depth throughout their squad.

The Rossoneri have battled past a horrendous string of injuries this season as mentioned in the previous slide.

In attack Milan are coping admirably without the services of Antonio Cassano and Alexandre Pato with Stephan El Shaarawy and Maxi Lopez adding competition for Robinho to partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Alessandro Nesta's fitness is a growing concern, but Philippe Mexes is reaching full fitness after his serious injury last summer with Daniele Bonera also capable of filling in, if needed.

The full-back positions are covered well with Luca Antonini able to play both sides and the new signing Djamel Mesbah slotting in nicely.

Gennaro Gattuso, Alberto Aquilani, Kevin Prince Boateng and Alexander Merkel are out but Massimo Ambrosini and Clarence Seedorf are able to cover nicely with the ever-improving Urby Emanuelson capable of playing centre midfield or as a trequartista.

Goalkeeping is not a problem either as Marco Amelia is capable of covering for Christian Abbiati.

These options are part of the reason why Massimiliano Allegri is so calm right now.

Difference Makers

Milan possess more difference makers than their rivals.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is capable of winning games on his own and Thiago Silva is now considered the best centre-back in the world with Gerard Pique.

Once Kevin Prince Boateng returns, there are more goals from midfield that have proved to be so important for all Italian sides.

When the end of the season arrives, Serie A matches become very tight and tense.

The games are decided by fine details and Milan have stars capable of being the difference makers in the one-on-one battles on the pitch.

Kind Fixtures

Milan possess a kind end to the season.

30. Catania (away)

31. Fiorentina (home)

32. Chievo (away)

33. Genoa (home)

34. Bologna (home)

35. Siena (away)

36. Atalanta (home)

37. Inter (away)

38. Novara (home)

Aside from the Derby della Madonnina Milan could conceivably win all of those games.

Milan will be highly motivated to exact revenge on their fierce rivals and the other opponents have only taken a combined four points off the Rossoneri in the opposite fixtures this season.

They were both away to Bologna and Fiorentina, who will both travel to the San Siro in that run-in.

In those nine fixtures Juventus have tougher opponents, including Roma, Napoli, Lazio and a tough away trip to Palermo.

Follow me on Twitter @jackalexandros and @FRcalcioJack.