Ten-man AC Milan suffered a setback in their bid to secure a Champions League spot on Sunday after a 2-0 defeat to Sassuolo in the 2025/26 Serie A.
The result ended Milan’s minor title hopes as it leaves leaders Inter Milan, who play Parma later on Sunday, on 12 points with three games remaining in the season.
Inter are nine points ahead of second-placed Napoli and can clinch the title with a point at home to Parma later on Sunday.
Milan remains third with 67 points, but its position is threatened because Juventus in fourth place is three points ahead of the home match against already relegated Hellas Verona. Como are fifth with 62 points, while AS Roma are sixth with 61, before hosting Fiorentina on Monday.
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The top four qualify for the group stage of the Champions League next season.
Sassuolo struck early when Domenico Berardi put the hosts ahead in the fifth minute, curling a first-time effort low into the corner.
Milan’s task became considerably more difficult in the 24th minute when defender Fikayo Tomori was sent off for a second yellow card after tripping Armand Lauriente during a counter-attack.
Lauriente sealed the win two minutes after the restart by firing a low shot into the near corner from a tight angle on the edge of the penalty area to secure the points for Sassuolo.
Published on May 3, 2026
