Stunning home defeat to Cagliari denies AC Milan Champions League place

Cagliari started aggressively against Milan, with Ze Pedro earning a booking within the first two minutes.

Milan responded swiftly, as Alexis Saelemaekers exploited a sublime pass from Santiago Gimenez to slot past Elia Caprile.

The hosts allowed Cagliari to dominate possession early on, and had Alessandro Deiola's shot not gone astray, the visitors might have equalised sooner.

Mike Maignan produced a spectacular save to deny Gianluca Gaetano, but from the ensuing corner, Yerry Mina's header found Gennaro Borrelli, who hammered in the leveller.

By the half-hour mark, 여 Milan were controlling proceedings, yet neither Christopher Nkunku nor Youssouf Fofana's attempts tested Caprile.

Needing a win to secure Champions League football, Milan showed urgency but lacked precision in front of goal.

Christian Pulisic marked his 100th Serie A appearance by replacing Gimenez at halftime, as Milan pushed for dominance.

Cagliari shocked the San Siro again when Juan Rodriguez nodded in his maiden goal of the season from a set-piece that baffled Milan's defence.

This strike came despite over 40% of play occurring in Cagliari's defensive zone.

Max Allegri's tactical changes, introducing Luka Modric, Niklas Fullkrug, and Zachary Athekame, backfired as Milan's attack faltered while Cagliari pressed on, with Gaetano, Borelli, Gabriele Zappa, Ibrahim Sulemana, Sebastiano Esposito, and Michel Adopa all threatening.

Maignan's heroics spared Milan further embarrassment, notably denying Paul Mendy in a one-on-one late in the game.

The loss meant Milan failed to secure an eighth final-day victory in nine seasons and missed out on Champions League qualification. Meanwhile, Cagliari celebrated only their second win in the last 43 encounters (D10, L3) and ended their six-match away winless streak to conclude the 2025/26 campaign.