“Milan fails in the quest for second place, and Inter is closer to the title.”

AC Milan misses golden opportunity as Inter Milan closes in on Serie A title

In a dramatic Sunday for the Rossoneri fans, AC Milan suffered an unexpected defeat away to Sassuolo in the 35th round of the Italian League, seriously jeopardizing their aspirations in the championship. The team led by Massimiliano Allegri, with Portuguese player Rafael Leão in the starting lineup, failed to seize the chance to equal Napoli in the race for second place, allowing their rivals Inter Milan to draw ever closer to clinching the title.

The scenario seemed favorable for Milan. With a victory, the Rossoneri would have reached 70 points, tying with Napoli, and would have kept the flame of their championship dream—albeit faint—alive. However, Sassuolo, sitting ninth with 49 points, entered the match with fierce determination. Domenico Berardi opened the scoring just five minutes in, delivering an early blow to Milan’s plans. In the second half, Jeremy Laurienté doubled Sassuolo’s lead in the 47th minute, sealing a result that left AC Milan in shock and three points behind Napoli.

This defeat not only prevents AC Milan from moving up to second place but also decisively brings Inter Milan closer to the title. The nerazzurri, with 79 points, can secure the championship this Monday in their match against Parma, scheduled for 19:45 (Lisbon time). The 12-point lead and the proximity to the end of the season create the perfect scenario for Inter to celebrate the trophy.

Meanwhile, other matches marked the round. Bologna, eighth with 49 points, drew 0-0 with Cagliari, in 16th place with 37 points, in a game where the Portuguese Zé Pedro started for the visiting team but was unable to make an impact. Later today, Juventus hosts Verona, who have already been relegated, and a victory would put the bianconeri on the brink of overtaking AC Milan in third place, further increasing the pressure on the rossoneri.

AC Milan, who relied on Rafael Leão’s quality to turn their season around, now sees their title dream slipping away rapidly. With only three rounds remaining until the end, Allegri’s team faces a Herculean challenge to secure second place and ensure a direct spot in the Champions League. The defeat in Sassuolo could be the decisive moment that seals the fate of the scudetto race, increasingly dominated by Inter Milan.

Stay tuned for the upcoming rounds of Serie A, where the excitement and battle for the top of the table promise to be intense until the final minute.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.