Why AC Milan Should Take Coppa Italia Seriously After Win vs. Sassuolo

While it wasn't a perfect 2-1 victory at home against Sassuolo, Milan advances on to the next round in this year's Coppa Italia.

The Coppa Italia certainly isn't taken as seriously as the FA Cup, for example, but could be the ideal gateway for the Rossoneri to earn a spot in European competition for next season.

A nice perk of the Coppa Italia is that the winner is awarded a spot in the Europa League. However, often times the winner is already qualified into Europe as a top-five side in Serie A, so the Europa League berth is given to the semifinalists if they haven't already qualified domestically.

With that being said, Milan could realistically lose in the final of the cup and still go into the Europa League next season. That isn't the goal for Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani, though.

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The club desperately wants to get back in the Champions League, but they sit in eighth place, five points behind third-place Lazio. With stiff competition in the Serie A for that third spot, finishing in the top five isn't even a guarantee for the Rossoneri.

Take a look at the way Inter have strengthened this January by bringing in the likes of the talented Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri and experienced winger Lukas Podolski. Napoli, Fiorentina and both sides from Genoa will also be fighting for a Champions League berth.

Sure, Milan still have a shot, but their best opportunity could come from taking the Coppa Italia seriously. Without European action of any sort, Milan can easily juggle between Serie A and the cup, especially since they have 28 active players on the roster, more than many teams that play in three or even four events. 

Recent history has shown us that most teams don't play their starters in the cup until they get to the final, as it's hardly ever been a priority for the big clubs. The smaller sides don't have the depth to put their best starting XI in the Cup with an important Serie A match looming over the weekend. 

Against Sassuolo, Filippo Inzaghi gave room to three attackers desperately needing a confidence boost. Giampaolo Pazzini scored a beautiful volley near the far post, Alessio Cerci showed some of the speed and creativity that made him an expensive summer signing last year and Stephan El Shaarawy went on a few of his signature mazy runs. 

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It was great to see these three players, each of whom have had a tough season in terms of getting the time they deserve and playing to the best of their ability.

Even if Milan are knocked out of the Coppa Italia, they're giving space to some players that really need continuity and playing time, so it will help with their Serie A fixtures as well.

Milan needs to treat the Coppa Italia like they would a European match. It might be their only opportunity to quickly return to where they belong.