AC Milan miss out on top-four finish despite SPAL win
AC Milan
Former European CupwinnersACMilanendured a bittersweet 3-2winatSPALin the last round of the Serie A,finishing the campaignoutside thetopfourafter their nearest rivals both booked their Champions League berths on Sunday.
The result leftMilanfifth on 68 points, one behind third-placed Atalanta andfourth-placed city rivals Inter, meaning they will have to be content with the Europa League next season.
Atalanta came from behind to beat Sassuolo 3-1 at home while Inter ekedouta 2-1winagainst relegated Empoli at the San Siro.
"I am happy with the development of my players, I think many of them have improved a lot," saidACMilancoach Gennaro Gattuso, whose future with the club is uncertain. "We can still get better although it will not be easy to improve this season's 68 points.
"The biggest regret is that in the last few months we have not played well and we have lost too many points, but all in all our work has been good," he added. "There are regrets but also pride. I've congratulated the squad for what they have given me this season."
Hakan Calhanoglu firedMilanahead in the 18th minute with a first-time shot from the edge of the penalty area after Franck Kessie played the ball into the Turkey midfielder's strike from the left flank.
Kessie doubledMilan's lead shortly afterwards when poorSPALdefending gave the Ivorian playmaker time and space to tee himself up for a left-footed shot into the roof of the net from close range.
The home side pulled one back in the 28th minute after left-back Francesco Vicari found thetopleft the corner with a glancing header and levelled early in the second half, Mohamed Fares meeting Alessandro Murgia's cross with a thumping header.
Kessie converted a 66th-minute penalty after Krzysztof Piatek was hauled down to rekindleMilan's hopes of earning Champions League football next season but their joy was short-lived as news of the other results came through.