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DPA
Berlin
AC Milan missed the chance to guarantee themselves a place in next season’s Champions League as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Cagliari.
With safety assured before kick-off, Cagliari did not have anything but pride to play for, yet Milan - shorn of the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic - could not take the points which would have secured their top-four place thanks to their head-to-head record against fifth-placed Juventus, who beat Inter on Saturday.
Cagliari are the team that Stefano Pioli has won the most matches against as a coach in Serie A, but Milan had Gianluigi Donnarumma to thank as he made two huge saves in the second half. Samu Castillejo missed a golden chance at the other end, while Hakan Calhanoglu sent a speculative effort crashing against the woodwork.
Donnarumma produced the first moment of quality, making a fantastic, instinctive stop from Leonardo Pavoletti’s header nine minutes after the restart.
The Italian goalkeeper came to Milan’s rescue again 11 minutes later, this time diving low to his right to keep out Diego Godin’s header.
Milan should have been ahead moments after, only for Castillejo to volley over from point-blank range.
Calhanoglu almost produced a moment of magic to finally break the deadlock, but his venomous strike from a tight angle rattled the upright as Milan’s Champions League hopes remain in the balance.
One of Milan, Juve or Napoli will miss out on the Champions League - and all that is left is to decide is which one will wind up finishing fifth.
Atalanta, thanks to their improved head-to-head record with Juve, are ensured of a place in UEFA’s elite club competition once more, and it is Gian Piero Gasperini’s team who Milan must face in their final game.
Berlin
AC Milan missed the chance to guarantee themselves a place in next season’s Champions League as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Cagliari.
With safety assured before kick-off, Cagliari did not have anything but pride to play for, yet Milan - shorn of the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic - could not take the points which would have secured their top-four place thanks to their head-to-head record against fifth-placed Juventus, who beat Inter on Saturday.
Cagliari are the team that Stefano Pioli has won the most matches against as a coach in Serie A, but Milan had Gianluigi Donnarumma to thank as he made two huge saves in the second half. Samu Castillejo missed a golden chance at the other end, while Hakan Calhanoglu sent a speculative effort crashing against the woodwork.
Donnarumma produced the first moment of quality, making a fantastic, instinctive stop from Leonardo Pavoletti’s header nine minutes after the restart.
The Italian goalkeeper came to Milan’s rescue again 11 minutes later, this time diving low to his right to keep out Diego Godin’s header.
Milan should have been ahead moments after, only for Castillejo to volley over from point-blank range.
Calhanoglu almost produced a moment of magic to finally break the deadlock, but his venomous strike from a tight angle rattled the upright as Milan’s Champions League hopes remain in the balance.
One of Milan, Juve or Napoli will miss out on the Champions League - and all that is left is to decide is which one will wind up finishing fifth.
Atalanta, thanks to their improved head-to-head record with Juve, are ensured of a place in UEFA’s elite club competition once more, and it is Gian Piero Gasperini’s team who Milan must face in their final game.
