MILAN. After ten goals in the last two games, Milan are stuck on the most beautiful. One step away from the Champions League finish. The Devil hits the Cagliari wall, which takes away a 0-0 from San Siro with full merit that complicates the European race of the Rossoneri, who will now be forced to win on the last day of the championship at Atalanta that Juve in turn does not make a full result in Bologna) so as not to suffer a mocking overtaking on the last day. The lightness of the Sardinians, who took to the field after celebrating their salvation in the afternoon by virtue of the Benevento-Crotone draw, ends up turning out to be a trap for the guys from Pioli, who create little in the first 45 ‘and lose lucidity and calm in the second half, failing to solve the rossoblu puzzle. Which risks being paid dearly. Pioli confirms for ten elevenths the formation that overwhelmed Turin, with only Saelemaekers on the field in place of Castillejo.
On the opposite side, despite the goal already achieved, Semplici relies on the very titular players with Pavoletti and Joao Pedro in front. The Devil starts strong, but it is immediately clear that Cagliari did not come to San Siro on a trip. Rebic’s diagonal at the start scares Cragno and bodes well, but it turns out to be an impromptu opportunity, because the hosts – without the charisma and leadership of Ibrahimovic – struggle to create great opportunities. So the Rossoneri try a couple of times with attempts from outside the box, but Cragno is careful in the 17 ‘on Saelemaekers’ blow. Around half an hour, however, the Calabrian bolide ends up not by much. The Sardinians do not create who knows what headaches in Donnarumma, but from the middle of the first half onwards they increase the pressure in the opposing half of the pitch.
Pioli tries to fix the team in the running by inserting Leao in place of Saelemaekers as early as 1 ‘of the second half, but the substance does not change, despite an angry (re) departure that for the first time really puts the opponent on the ropes. Indeed the Devil gradually loses a bit of balance in the middle of the field and takes a big risk. Donnarumma, however, is ready first on Pavoletti’s header, on Joao Pedro’s cross, and then on the angled header, on the development of a corner, by Godin. Milan trembles and struggles to become dangerous, also because fatigue increases hand in hand with the nervousness for a result that is struggling to arrive. Pioli tries them all, including the Mandzukic card for the final assault, but the best opportunity falls on Castillejo’s feet. Cagliari, however, is saved in some way, and now the road to the Champions League for Milan suddenly returns uphill.