It was a memorable final day across Europe’s top leagues, with Serie A achieving one of its most dramatic endings in recent years with Milan’s Champions League hopes evaporating, Cuomo completing a fairytale first season in Serie A with a place in European football, and Villarreal putting in an impressive display in La Liga.
Milan were surprised when Como and Roma grabbed the European places
Milan’s Champions League dream collapsed on the final day as Cagliari, who had nothing but pride to play for, staged a stunning comeback to win 2-1 at the San Siro, handing the Rossoneri one of the most painful results in their recent history.
Alexis Saelmakers gave Milan the perfect start after just 93 seconds, the quickest goal of the Serie A season, and for a brief period it looked like everything was going to plan.
But Cagliari refused to lie down. Gennaro Borelli equalized in the 20th minute with a shot from a corner kick, then Juan Rodriguez – who scored his first Serie A goal of the season – headed home from close range in the 57th minute to complete the turnaround.
Milan’s attempts to save the match, even with Rafael Leao brought on from the bench and Luka Modric adding experience, came to nothing. It opened the door for the teams below them.
Como, in his first season in Serie A, has been through that. Cesc Fabregas’ side thrashed Cremonese 4-1 in a chaotic second half in Zeni, with three Cremonese players, Djuric, Grassi and Okereke, receiving red cards in the space of a few minutes.
Lucas da Cunha scored twice, including a successful penalty kick, to end a truly exceptional campaign for Como. UEFA Champions League in their first season back.
Roma also did what was required, beating Verona 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico. It was not always easy, as the first half ended in a goalless draw, and it required a penalty kick awarded by the VAR, which Montepu initially saved before Donyiel Malen converted the rebound, opening the scoring in the 56th minute.
Stephan El Shaarawy concluded it late with a calm ending. Verona player Nicholas Valentini made matters more difficult for his team by receiving two yellow cards, the second just five minutes after the start of the second half, and the ten men were unable to offer any resistance.
Napoli finished second after a routine 1-0 win over Udinese, with Rasmus Hoglund scoring a wonderful through ball from Kevin De Bruyne in the 24th minute, confirming their place in second place in Antonio Conte’s final match for the team.
Inter Milan has already been crowned champion. Milan’s collapse means that Juventus, whatever its result, will not be able to finish the season in a higher position than the European League at best.
Villarreal 5-1 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid’s season ended in humiliating defeat, with Villarreal putting in one of their finest performances of the weekend, sealing a 5-1 win at La Ceramica.
The damage was done pretty much in half the time. Dani Parejo scored a penalty kick in the 30th minute after Nicolas Pepe was fouled inside the penalty area, before Ayoze Perez, who was outstanding throughout the match, added the second goal with a wonderful touch from the center of the penalty area.
George Mikautadze then showed exactly why Villarreal had invested in him, as he raced into the attack to fire a stunning shot into the top corner and score the third goal. Atletico pulled one back through Mark Popile’s header from a corner kick, but Pape Gueye restored the three-goal lead with a thunderous shot from outside the penalty area at the end of the first half.
