Como and Roma snatched the Champions League places on a dramatic final day in Serie A
The downfall for AC Milan was even greater on Sunday when Como and Roma captured the final places of the Champions League in one of the most memorable final rounds in Serie A in years.
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AC Milan’s Champions League dream vanished on the very last day, Como completed a fairytale first season back in good company with a European ticket, and Villarreal delivered a show in La Liga.
Milan in shock as Como and Roma secure European places
AC Milan’s dream of Champions League football came crashing down on the last day. Cagliari, who had nothing but pride to play for, staged a remarkable comeback, winning 2-1 at the San Siro. The result gave the Rossoneri one of the most painful defeats in recent times.
Alexis Saelemaekers gave Milan the perfect start after just 93 seconds – the fastest goal of the season in Serie A.
But Cagliari refused to give up. Gennaro Borrelli equalized after 20 minutes with a classic striker finish on a corner. Juan Rodriguez then – his first Serie A goal of the season – headed the ball into the net from close range in the 57th minute and completed the turnaround.
Milan’s attempts to save the game, even with Rafael Leao coming off the bench and Luka Modric adding routine, led nowhere. Thus, the door opened for the teams below them in the table.
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Como – from newcomers to the Champions League in one season
Como, in his first season back in Serie A, went straight through the open door. Cesc Fàbregas’ side crushed Cremonese 4-1 in a second half that turned into chaos at the Stadio Giovanni Zini. Three Cremonese players – Djuric, Grassi and Okereke – all received red cards within minutes.
Lucas Da Cunha scored twice, one on penalties, as Como ended an extraordinary season. Champions League football in his first season back in the top division. The adventure is complete.
Roma did the job – and secured the ticket
Roma also did what was needed. They beat Verona 2-0 at the Olimpico. It wasn’t always easy – the first half ended goalless. It took a VAR-given penalty to break the score in the 56th minute. First, Montipo saved, but Donyell Malen put in the rebound.
Stephan El Shaarawy made it 2-0 late in the game with a calm finish. Verona’s Nicolas Valentini made life even more difficult for his team when he received two yellow cards – the other just five minutes into the second half. With ten men on the field, they could offer little resistance.
Napoli secured second place
Napoli finished second after a routine 1-0 win over Udinese. Rasmus Hojlund put in a classic through pass from Kevin De Bruyne after 24 minutes to secure second place in Antonio Conte’s last game as coach.
Inter Milan were already crowned champions beforehand. Milan’s collapse means that Juventus – no matter how they fared – cannot finish higher than a Europa League spot at best.
Villarreal humiliated Atlético Madrid: 5-1
Atlético Madrid’s season ended in humiliation as Villarreal put in one of the best performances of the weekend, winning convincingly 5-1 at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
The injury was pretty much already a fact at halftime. Dani Parejo scored a penalty after 30 minutes after Nicolas Pépé was fouled in the box. Ayoze Pérez, who was brilliant throughout the game, then made it 2-0 with a calm finish from the middle of the sixteen-yard box.
Georges Mikautadze then showed exactly why Villarreal invested in him. He ran into a quick counterattack and put a magnificent shot into the cross – 3-0. Atlético reduced the deficit with a header from Marc Pubill on a corner, but Pape Gueye restored the three-goal lead with a powerful shot from outside the sixteen-yard box just before half-time.
The match was a show of power from Villarreal and a sad chapter for Atlético – who end the season in the worst possible way.
