The proud Italian football record champions Juventus Turin missed out on a place in the Champions League in a dramatic season finale complete with fan riots in Serie A. AC Milan will also not play in the premier class next season.
Because direct rivals Como 1907 and coach Cesc Fàbregas won the away game at US Cremonese on matchday 38, fifth-placed Juve will only play in the Europa League next season.
Disappointment clear before kick-off
Even before the end of Juve’s game against city rivals FC Turin (2:2), which started later due to fan riots, the disappointing league performance was sealed. Como did its homework and won 4-1 (1-0) at Cremonese, which was relegated to Serie B.
Fàbregas’ team is level on points with Juve in fourth place, but won the decisive direct comparison with Luciano Spalletti’s team in Italy. Participation in Europe’s premier class is a first for Como in the club’s almost 120-year history.
Juve coach criticizes character
“There is an explanation why we played great football at times but faltered in certain games“said Juve coach Luciano Spalletti after the game, insisting that the performance was due to a lack of personality.
Juventus’ coach Luciano Spalletti in the game at Torino FC
“We also need players who don’t allow themselves to be thrown off course by individual incidents, but instead continue to play with the same consistency and intensity until the final whistleSpaletti said according to La Gazetta dello Sport. “Anyone who keeps allowing themselves to be paralyzed by doubts lacks character – and then you simply can’t play for Juventus.”
Violence before kick-off
Juve’s city derby at Torino had previously been postponed for “public safety” reasons and then kicked off more than an hour late after one of Juventus’ fans was hospitalized following a brawl with rival supporters before the game.
Milan also disappointed
Meanwhile, AC Milan also has to make do with the second highest European club competition. The club of German center forward Niclas Füllkrug gave up a lead against Cagliari Calcio and lost 1:2 (1:1), Füllkrug, who was on loan from West Ham and was disappointing at the “Rossoneri”, was substituted on late.
AC Milan’s Niclas Füllkrug (from left) and Christian Pulisic look disappointed after missing out on the Champions League
AS Roma took third place, thanks to a 2-0 (0-0) win at Hellas Verona, the capital club will play in the Champions League next season, just like Como, champions Inter Milan and SSC Napoli.
Füllkrug team awards leadership
Milan still had its participation in the premier class in its own hands. A draw would have been enough for qualification. And Alexis Saelemaekers promptly got the game off to a dream start (2nd minute). However, Cagliari ultimately turned the game around. Füllkrug, who was substituted in the 61st minute, couldn’t do anything.
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri told La Gazzetta dello Sport after the game: “We defended very poorly as a team. I don’t blame the boys in any way. At the moment I feel disappointed and angry. Reluctantly – and with great bitterness – we just have to accept it.” He did not comment on his future as coach of the Italian first division club. “We have to evaluate the entire season for what it was; the boys gave absolutely everything. We made mistakes – and I made mistakes – during those six losses. However, I believe we need to keep a cool head in our final assessment“, says Allegri.
AS Roma benefits from Milan defeat
The beneficiary of Milan’s defeat was AS Roma, where ex-Dortmunder Donyell Malen once again became a hero. The Dutchman scored his 14th goal of the season in the 18th game for the Romans, laying the foundation for their first Champions League participation since the 2018/19 season. Stephan El Shaarawy scored the second goal.
