AC MILAN WIN THE SCUDETTO
Serie A
From Rome to Reggio Emilia, a journey that lasted eleven years. That long old wait ended in the space of 90 flawless minutes. It was the perfect match that handed AC Milan the 19th Scudetto in their history. Against Sassuolo, the Rossoneri dominated a first half that saw Giroud bag a brace and Kessie find the net with a fine finish. The second half was comfortable and always under the Diavolo’s control. The final scoreline reads 3-0 with a clean sheet to top it off. The tricolour is returning to the AC Milan jersey.
A tally of 86 points (the Rossoneri have never achieved more in a Scudetto triumph) and a great run of wins to end the season, dominating with confidence and maturity and always rising to the occasion when it mattered most. Credit must be given to everyone because each and every part of this club has contributed to this unforgettable triumph: from the players, who have improved immensely over the course of the season, to Coach Pioli, who wins a well-deserved first Scudetto of his career, as well as the management and the fans, who came to Reggio Emilia in great numbers. And now let the Rossoneri party begin!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM SASSUOLO v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
Coach Pioli made no changes to the side that beat Atalanta, and the Rossoneri went on to enjoy a perfect first half. Giroud tested Consigli with a seventh-minute header, while Ferrari then made a last-ditch intervention to deny Leão. The Rossoneri continued to press and finally took the lead in the 17th minute: Rafa won the ball back and picked out Giroud, who slotted the between Consigli’s legs. The Diavolo weren’t about to rest on their laurels and continued to attack, with Tonali and then Saelemaekers forcing the hosts’ goalkeeper into two saves in quick succession (22’). The half-hour mark passed and the Rossoneri scored twice in a matter of minutes to all but put the game to bed. With 32 minutes on the clock, Sassuolo gave the ball away at the back and Leão once again set up Giroud to find the net. Four minutes later, Krunić regained possession high up the pitch and passed to Leão; the Portuguese then pulled it back for Kessie, who make it three. Before the half-time whistle, Maignan produced a brilliant stop to keep out Frattesi’s flick-on (42’).
The second half was played at a much lower tempo, with AC Milan looking assured and keeping the home side well at bay. On the hour mark, Leão launched a counter-attack and Giroud tried to set up Hernández, who, however, was beaten to the ball by the Neroverdi defence. Pioli sent on Díaz and Ibrahimović, the latter of whom had a headed goal ruled out for offside. The final stages were largely played in the middle of the park and also saw Florenzi and captain Romagnoli enter the fray. There was a scare as Traorè hit the post in the 85th minute, but, by this point, it was clear what the outcome was going to be. AC Milan are the Champions of Italy!
MATCH DETAILS
SASSUOLO 0-3 AC MILAN
SASSUOLO (4-3-3): Consigli (82' Satalino); Müldür, Ayhan, Ferrari (82' Peluso), Kyriakopoulos; Henrique, Lopez (46' Magnanelli), Frattesi (58' Traorè); Berardi (67' Defrel), Scamacca, Raspadori. Subs.: Pegolo; Chiricheș, Rogério, Tressoldi; Đuričić; Ceide, Ciervo. Coach: Dionisi.
MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori (81' Romagnoli), Hernández; Tonali (46' Bennacer), Kessie; Saelemaekers (81' Florenzi), Krunić (72' Díaz), Leão; Giroud (72' Ibrahimović). Subs.: Mirante, Tătărușanu; Ballo-Touré, Gabbia; Bakayoko, Messias; Rebić. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Doveri from Roma 1.
Goals: 17' and 32' Giroud (M), 36' Kessie (M)
Booked: 34' Tonali (M), 53' Kyriakopoulos (S)
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