Olivier Giroud’s double powers AC Milan to first Scudetto in 11 years
AC Milan has been crowned Italian champions for the first time in 11 years following a final day 3-0 win over Sassuolo to end the campaign on 86 points, two more than dethroned champions and neighbours Internationale Milano.
Heading into the match, Milan needs nothing but a draw to secure the scudetto for the first time in 11 years, a feat that will draw them level with neighbours and second-placed Inter as the second most successful teams in the competition’s history with 19 titles after Juventus (36).
It was all but guaranteed to be a dream come through for Stefano Pioli’s men who were unbeaten in the league since a 1-2 defeat to Spezia in January. Sassuolo headed into the match with just a win and a draw in the previous league matches and with nothing to play for having already secured their league status and missing out on European football would stand no chance of giving a stern test to the Rossoneri who were eager to avoid a famous slip.
Olivier Giroud shot the Rossoneri in the lead after just 17 minutes into the game to put them in the driving seat as city rivals and closest contenders Inter were being held by Sampdoria. The former Chelsea man added to his tally in the 32nd minute with another goal before Ivorian international and Barcelona-bound Franck Kessie scored his farewell goal to seal a 3-0 first-half win for Milan.
Inter sprung to life in the second half to score three goals in 12 minutes with goals from Ivan Perisic and Joaquin Correa but that was far less than needed to mount a challenge with the Scudetto sure to exchange hands with the other Red side of Milan after 90 minutes.
It is a sweet final day for The Devils and they have made a real effort to close the gap on Inter who were crown champions in 2021 after breaking Juventus’ control of the league to win its first scudetto in 11 years.
For Milan, a double was a rare dream after so many years in the wilderness but the Scudetto is the dream all along and it has been made a reality. They lost the Coppa Italia to dethroned champions Inter weeks ago but that heartbreak is forgotten now as they take the Scudetto home and are guaranteed a place among the top guns in Europe next season, the second in a row.
What even makes this win beautiful is that, for the first time in 12 years, the Scudetto has been decided on the final day. This time it is the Rossoneri, not the Nerazzurri but it is not a treble for Milan as against their rival’s sweeping act in 2010 under Jose Mourinho.
