AC Milan's grip on a Champions League spot is slipping, and the pressure is mounting as city rivals Inter Milan edge closer to sealing the Serie A title. Massimiliano Allegri's side suffered a crushing 2-0 defeat at Sassuolo on Sunday, a match that saw them reduced to 10 men and marked their fourth loss in just seven games. For a club with Milan's storied history, this stumble couldn't come at a worse time.
The Rossoneri now sit in third place, a precarious three points ahead of fourth-placed Juventus, who were set to face Hellas Verona later that day. Even more concerning, fifth-placed Como is lurking just five points behind, with a fierce push to break into the top four and snatch that coveted Champions League berth. For fans dreaming of European nights at the San Siro, the math is getting tight.
The match itself was a nightmare from the start. Domenico Berardi, a familiar tormentor, struck early for Sassuolo—it was his 12th career goal against Milan, a stat that underscores his knack for punishing the Rossoneri. Things went from bad to worse when Fikayo Tomori saw red, leaving Milan a man down. Armand Lauriente then doubled Sassuolo's lead after the break, sealing a result that highlights a glaring issue: Milan has managed just one goal in their last five matches. That's a drought no title-chasing team can afford.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan is poised to capitalize. With a commanding 12-point lead over their city rivals, Inter can clinch the Scudetto with just a draw against visiting Parma later. For Milan, the focus now shifts from chasing the title to simply holding onto their Champions League lifeline. In a season that promised so much, the margins are razor-thin, and every match feels like a final.
Elsewhere, Bologna played out a goalless stalemate against Cagliari in a regional derby, a result that does little to shake up the standings but keeps both sides in the hunt for their own ambitions. As the Serie A season heats up, all eyes are on Milan—can they turn this slide around, or will their European dreams slip away?