It was a memorable final day for all of Europe’s top leagues, with Serie A coming to its most dramatic finish in recent years as AC Milan’s Champions League hopes faded, Como ended their first season back in the top flight with a place in European football, and Villarreal made a run at La Liga.
Milan are surprised as Como and Roma take the spots in Europa
AC Milan’s dream of Champions League football was dashed on the final day as Cagliari, who had nothing but pride to play for, produced a stunning comeback to win 2-1 at the San Siro, handing the Rossoneri one of the worst results in their recent history.
Alexis Saelemaekers gave Milan the perfect start after 93 seconds, the fastest goal of their Serie A season, and for a short time everything seemed to be going to plan.
But Cagliari refused to lie down. Gennaro Borrelli equalized on 20 minutes with a poached finish from a corner, then Juan Rodriguez – scoring his first Serie A goal of the season – headed in from close range in the 57th minute to complete the turnaround.
Milan’s efforts to save the game, even with Rafael Leao introduced on the bench and Luka Modric adding experience, were unsuccessful. It opened doors for the teams under them.
Como, in their first season back in Serie A, went through it. Cesc Fabregas’ side beat Cremonese 4-1 in a second half that caused chaos at Zini, with three Cremonese players, Djuric, Grassi, and Okereke, all receiving red cards in the space of a few minutes.
Lucas Da Cunha scored twice, including a converted penalty, as Como ended what has been an unusual campaign. Champions League football in their first season back.
Roma also did what was needed, seeing off Verona 2-0 at the Olimpico. It wasn’t always straightforward, with the first half ending goalless, and it took a penalty awarded by VAR, kicked by Montipo before Donyell Malen converted the rebound, to break the deadlock in the 56th minute.
Stephan El Shaarawy wrapped it up late on with a combined finish. Verona’s Nicolas Valentini made life difficult for his team by collecting two yellow cards, the second just five minutes into the second half, and the ten men couldn’t resist the slightest.
Napoli finished second after a 1-0 win at Udinese, Rasmus Hojlund sliding home Kevin De Bruyne’s ball on 24 minutes, to secure their top spot in Antonio Conte’s final game in charge.
Inter Milan were already champions. Milan’s collapse means that Juventus, whatever their result, will not finish above a Europa League place.
Villarreal 5-1 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid’s season ended on a low note as Villarreal produced one of the highlights of the weekend, running out 5-1 winners at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
Most of the damage happened during the holidays. Dani Parejo converted from the penalty spot on 30 minutes after Nicolas Pepe won a foul in the box, before Ayoze Perez, who was outstanding throughout, added a cool second in the center of the box.
Georges Mikautadze then showed exactly why Villarreal invested in him, running on the fast break to curl a powerful effort into the top corner to make it three. Atletico pulled one back through Marc Pubill’s header from a corner, but Pape Gueye restored the three-goal lead with a powerful drive from outside the box on the stroke of half-time.
