Italy: AC Milan qualify for next season's Champions League

 Juventus 0 - 1 AC Milan

Olivier Giroud scored the winner as AC Milan qualified for next season's Champions League with a narrow win against Juventus. The defeat ended Juve's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

The home side started the match aggressively, knowing that only a win was good enough to maintain their slim hopes of securing a top-four finish. Massimiliano Allegri made enforced changes to his team as their star striker and top scorer Dusan Vlahovic was sidelined. 

Davide Calabria crossed from the right for the France striker to head in the winner for the Rossoneri. Alexis Saelemaekers had a low shot saved by Wojciech Szczesny as Milan probed for a second goal.

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AC Milan qualify for the Champions League

Milan have now completed a league double against Juventus for just the third time in the last 50 years. They are now secure in fourth place, with Inter, Lazio and champions Napoli having already qualified for next season's Champions League.

After the match, Milan manager Stefano Pioli expressed his relief that his team had finally confirmed their participation in Europe's elite club competition. Their recent defeat in the semi-final of that competition was a huge negative for him and the club, but they will be determined to have another great run next season.

The Juventus manager had a very different perspective on the match. He and the team looked like a group of people that can't wait for the Serie A season to end. 

Find more Juventus news and stories.

The best reaction

Xsoundbeatz commented on Facebook: "Forza AC Milan. However, I'm sad to see Juventus out of next season's Champions League."

Anton Valchanov added: "I'd maintain that we have the most talented squad in Serie A and we don’t have a good team that can win matches like this."

Stefan Tabutov appeared to be pleased that the Serie A season is coming to an end: "I am very pleased that this season is 99% complete. That has been a nightmare of a season, it’s time for a change at the club."

More news from the Serie A and beyond can be found here. 

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