Giroud seals win at Juve and UCL place for Milan
Olivier Giroud secured Champions League qualification for AC Milan with the only goal in Sunday’s 1-0 win at troubled Juventus.
Giroud guided home a brilliant header from Davide Calabria’s cross in the 40th minute to guarantee Milan at least fourth place and complete Italy’s line-up in Europe’s top club competition next season.
It was the one moment of quality in an otherwise drab match in Turin in which little of consequence happened apart from Giroud’s 12th league goal of the season.
Stefano Pioli’s side, who were knocked out of this year’s Champions League semi-finals by Inter Milan, join their local rivals, Lazio and champions Napoli on the continent’s big stage.
They are six points ahead of fifthplaced Atalanta with one match left in what has been a long season and one in which their title defence collapsed after the World Cup.
“This was the first time we truly tried to be competitive in two tournaments and we were lacking something,” said Pioli. “We can enjoy the win and qualification, but it was a strange season for many reasons.”
Juve stay seventh and in the Europa Conference League spot after being deducted 10 points for illicit transfer activity by the Italian Football Federation.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side can still reach the Europa League spots as they are one point behind Roma in sixth, although the spectre of more punishment for financial irregularities hangs over the Turin giants.
Lecce ensured Serie A survival after late penalty drama gave them a 1-0 win over Monza, while a crushing late draw with Empoli took Verona’s survival battle to the final day.
Victor Osimhen’s brace wasn’t enough for Napoli as the newlycrowned Italian champions threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Bologna.