AC Milan lead Inter Milan by two points going into the final day of the Serie A season as both sides won on Sunday. Theo Hernandez’s scored a superb goal to seal AC Milan’s 2-0 victory over Atalanta to put them on the verge of their first Serie A title for 11 years. The French left-back’s solo run and finish sparked wild celebrations at a raucous San Siro, with Rafael Leao having already scored for the hosts.
AC Milan beat Atalanta to eye first Serie Title
But reigning champions Inter beat Cagliari 3-1 to keep the pressure on. AC Milan will win the Scudetto with a draw at Sassuolo next Sunday as they have the superior head-to-head record in matches against their city rivals this season, with Inter needing to beat Sampdoria and hope Milan loses. A tense affair had seen Milan initially struggle to break down a well-organized Atalanta side chasing a European place.
Junior Messias’ second-half introduction as a substitute reaped immediate dividends. The Brazilian’s second touch sent Leao through on goal and the Portuguese forward drove an effort through the legs of visiting goalkeeper Juan Musso to put Milan in front. While there were several anxious moments for the hosts in defense, Hernandez’s superb sublime goal settled the whole issue.
Stefano Pioli’s side is now unbeaten in their last 15 league matches. Should Inter Milan fail to beat Cagliari, the title would have been Milan’s, but Simone Inzaghi’s side won to take it down on the last day of the league. Former Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian headed Inter ahead and Lautaro Martinez doubled the lead with a clinical finish.
Charalampos Lykogiannis gave Cagliari – and Milan – hope but Martinez’s late dinked effort sealed the win.