Crisis club Milan's Champions League return at risk, Como in Europe
AC Milan slumped to a 3-2 home defeat to Atalanta on Sunday (Piero CRUCIATTI) AC Milan slumped into a full-blown crisis on Sunday after a 3-2 home defeat to Atalanta put their Champions League return at risk, while Como qualified for Europe for the first time. Boos and whistles rang around at full time in a San Siro which had been abandoned by a large chunk of the over 70,000 fans well before the end of a match whose final score didn't reflect the balance of play. Before leaving the stands, hardcore supporters loudly voiced their aggravation at the club's owners, American investment fund RedBird.
The chants only grew louder after Ederson, Davide Zappacosta and Giacomo Raspadori rattled Atalanta three goals ahead by the 51st minute. Strahinja Pavlovic headed Milan back into the game in the 88th minute while Christoper Nkunku netted from the penalty spot in stoppage time, but those goals won't hide what was a dismal performance. "The responsibility is mine, I'm the one leading the players.
We've got a difficult match at Genoa next week and we have to do what we can to win," said coach Massimiliano Allegri. Milan are still just about in Serie A's top four but level on 67 points with fifth-placed Roma and in a tailspin after collecting just seven points since beating local rivals Inter Milan two months ago. In that time Milan have scored only six goals, three of which came in one match, and the level of anger at the team peaked when winger Rafael Leao -- once a fan favourite -- was substituted just before the hour.
Defeat capped an awful day for Milan whose key rivals for a Champions League spot, Como and Roma, won at Verona and Parma respectively. Tasos Douvikas rattled home the only goal of the game in the 71st minute at relegated Verona as Como guaranteed themselves at least a place in the Conference League. The lakeside outfit were only promoted to Serie A in 2024 and could yet finish the season in the top four, as they sit just two points behind Milan in sixth.
“Two years ago today we were promoted to Serie A and today we’re qualifying for Europe," said coach Cesc Fabregas. "The team, the club, the fans have all grown. It's incredible.