AC Milan, despite a depleted squad, managed to hold Juventus to a scoreless draw, inching closer to securing their Champions League spot for the upcoming season.
Stefano Pioli, who is likely in his final term with Milan, is on the verge of ensuring the team’s place in Europe’s elite club competition.
Rumors suggest Pioli will be succeeded by Julen Lopetegui after a season that saw Milan exit the Europa League and suffer a demoralizing defeat in the city derby to Inter Milan, which ultimately handed Inter the league title.
Nonetheless, Milan’s position in the top five, which would guarantee Champions League qualification, seems secure as they stand 16 points clear of Atalanta in sixth, with Atalanta having six more matches to play.
Pioli expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance against Juventus, praising their tenacity and adherence to the game plan during a challenging phase of the season.
Milan’s lineup was significantly impacted by suspensions and injuries, including the loss of France’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan to a hamstring issue during warm-up.
Marco Sportiello, who stepped in as goalkeeper, played a pivotal role in securing the draw for Milan.
Juventus, on the other hand, has been struggling, with only two league wins since January. Despite Milan’s weakened state, Massimiliano Allegri’s squad had difficulty generating significant opportunities.
The match saw Sportiello make crucial saves, including a double save from Filip Kostic and Danilo, and a goalline block by Malick Thiaw to deny Adrien Rabiot a goal in the closing moments.
The draw leaves the door open for Bologna to catch up with third-placed Juventus, adding pressure on Allegri, who remains focused on finishing the season strong.
