Milan move to the brink of Italian League title after win over Atalanta
While there were several anxious moments for the hosts in defence, Hernandez’s sublime goal setled any nerves and transferred any pressure firmly across to city rivals and reigning champions Inter
AC Milan sit on the brink of a first Serie A title in over a decade ater goals from Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez sealed a 2-0 win over Atalanta.
Milan, who were last league champions in 2011, are five points clear of reigning champions Inter Milan.
Leao broke through ater 56 minutes, picking up a Messias through ball to score between the legs of Atalanta goalkeeper Juan Musso, with Hernandez adding a second 19 minutes later following a brilliant solo run through the Atalanta defence.
Inter have to win at Cagliari to ensure that an enthralling title race enters a final week, with the Sardinians needing a result to avoid relegation.
Simone Inzaghi’s Inter are fresh from a thrilling, extra-time Italian Cup triumph over old foes Juventus on Wednesday and will be hoping to use that wave of enthusiasm in the climax to the campaign.
In Naples, Lorenzo Insigne scored on his final home game for Napoli, a 3-0 win over Genoa, meaning the north-western port side will be relegated if Cagliari beat Inter.
It was an emotional final match for Insigne at the Diego Maradona Stadium ater 12 years in his hometown club. The Napoli captain will join MLS club Toronto FC as a free agent from July 1.
The 30-year-old was given a guard of honour as he walked out onto the pitch for the final time alongside his sons and was presented with gits.
Insigne scored Napoli’s second goal from the penalty spot ater an hour with Victor Osimhen and Stanislav Lobotka also on target for the third-placed southeners who return to Champions League football next season.
Relegated Venezia frustate Roma’s European ambitions: David Okereke scored within the first minute as Venezia frustrated European hopefuls AS Roma 1-1 at the Stadio Olimpico hours ater being relegated from Serie A on Saturday.
Salernitana’s 1-1 draw at Empoli earlier in the day had sent down botom team Venezia who had rejoined the top flight last summer.
Spezia ensured top flight safety with a 3-2 comeback win at Udinese as Salernitana boosted their chances of survival with a seventh consecutive match unbeaten to move out of the relegation zone with one match let to play.
In Rome, Okereke’s flicked header 50 seconds into the game shocked Jose Mourinho’s side who are sixth and batling for a Europa League place with Fiorentina just one point behind before travelling to Sampdoria on Monday.
Roma proved wasteful in their final game of the season in the Stadio Olimpico, hiting the woodwork four times with more than 40 shots on goal against 10-man Venezia who had Sofian Kiyine send off in the first half.
Roma substitute Eldor Shomurodov blasted in the equaliser in the 76th minute but the result is a blow for Roma’s European qualification hopes.
The capital side next play away to Torino, before next Wednesday’s Europa Conference League final against Feyenoord.
Earlier Salernitana missed the chance to claim almost guaranteed Serie A survival ater Diego Peroti had a late penalty saved at Empoli.
Peroti’s spot-kick was pushed aside by manof-the-match Guglielmo Vicario, who made a series of superb saves to stop Salernitana from gaining a win which would have moved them five points clear of the relegation zone ahead of their rivals matches this weekend.
Davide Nicola’s team sit 17th and two points ahead of Cagliari who are just inside the drop zone and face title-chasing Inter Milan in Sunday’s late match.
The draw is a not a dreadful result as Cagliari must beat reigning champions Inter to move out of trouble in place of Salernitana.
Before their current run of four wins and three draws Salernitana had been rooted ot the botom of Serie A the whole season.