AC Milan closed the Italian League for the 2020-2021 season as runners-up after defeating Atalanta. Franck Kessie became the key in AC Milan’s victory after his two penalty executions damaged Atalanta’s goal post. As a result, AC Milan won 2-0 in the last week of the Italian League which was held at the Gewiss Stadium, Monday (24/5/2021).
The victory led AC Milan to finish second in the Italian League final standings with a collection of 79 points. This result also ensures that Milan secures a ticket for the Champions League for the 2021-2022 season.
After the match, Stefano Pioli expressed his happiness to be able to bring AC Milan back to the Champions League. “We reached the Champions League because we deserved it. We deserved to be in second place,” said Pioli as AC Milan coach.
“It is true that it is very unfortunate that we missed an opportunity last week. I am very excited and happy,” said Stefano Pioli as quoted by Sky Sport Italia. After seven seasons passed, Milan finally returned to the Champions League.
The last time AC Milan competed in the most elite club competition in the Blue Continent was the 2013-2014 season. AC Milan’s move at that time stopped in the last 16 after being eliminated by Atletico Madrid.
AC Milan will be in pot four when the Champions League draw is made in August, it has been confirmed. The order of the top four was as follows: Inter, Milan, Atalanta, Juventus. While the four pots for the draw are not yet fully defined, the first will have the teams that have won their league from the first 6 leagues for UEFA coefficient and the two Champions League and Europa League winners.
Additionally, three points at Atalanta’s home also made AC Milan set a new record. The team nicknamed the Rossoneri recorded 16 away wins throughout the Italian League title this season. That record makes AC Milan equal with Real Madrid, which achieved a similar achievement in the 2011-2012 season and Manchester City in 2017-2018.
“Sixteen away wins is a lot, we have to understand why we can’t achieve that at our home,” said Pioli. “We don’t know when we will be able to play in front of our fans again. Summer will soon pass, for now let’s enjoy this achievement,” he said.
