Sad end to the season for AC Milan and Juventus Turin: outclassed by Inter Milan, crowned Italian champion in mid-April, Milan, held to a draw by Genoa (3-3) on Sunday, and Juve, neutralized by AS Rome (1-1), have not won for a month.
AC Milan was in trouble against Genoa: trailing twice (1-0 after 5 minutes, 2-1 after 48 minutes), Stefano Pioli’s team took the lead in the 75th minute to lead 3 to 2 thanks to Olivier Giroud, his 14th goal of the season.
But the Rossoneri, deprived of their goalkeeper Mike Maignan, injured in his adductor muscles, had to settle for a draw after an own goal from Malick Thiaw in the 87th minute.
Already angry before the match, the supporters, in particular the ultras of the Curva Sud, who had decided to go on an encouragement strike, left San Siro ten minutes before the final whistle as a sign of protest.
Their team has not won for a month and its success at home against Lecce (3-0) on April 6.
Since then, Christian Pulisic and his teammates have been eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Europa League by AS Roma and have only pocketed two points in four league matches.
AC Milan remains 2nd, 18 points behind Inter Milan and should pocket their ticket to the Champions League.
4th draw in a row for Juve
But Pioli, in office since 2019 and the target of supporters’ discontent, should no longer be in charge of the team next season.
“Our fans have always supported us, they chose to protest in this way, it’s up to us to finish the season well,” insisted the Italian technician who refused to discuss his future.
Juve, for their part, had a fourth consecutive draw in the league and have only won twice in Serie A since the end of January! Their duel against Roma was spectacular and intense, but the Bianconeri have been chasing a victory since April 7.
They remain 3rd, but are under threat from Bologna (4th, two points) who could knock them off the podium, which could cost Massimiliano Allegri his place.
But unlike Pioli, Allegri can save his club’s season (and his position?) with a trophy: Juve will play the final of the Italian Cup on May 15 against Atalanta.
Before its trip to Leverkusen on Thursday, in the semi-final return of the Europa League (2-0 defeat in the first leg), Roma retained its 5th place, synonymous with the Champions League, but Atalanta (6th, three points behind with two matches in less) can still be ahead of her by the end of the season.
