AC Milan and Juventus took significant strides toward securing Champions League qualification this weekend with professional victories over Verona and Bologna.
Adrien Rabiot’s sixth goal of the campaign proved decisive in Milan’s 1-0 win at Verona, establishing an eight-point cushion over fifth-placed Roma.
Massimiliano Allegri, who ruled himself out of the vacant Italy head coach role, praised the result as a vital step in “positioning Milan back in Europe.”
Meanwhile, Juventus tightened their hold on fourth place with a 2-0 victory against Bologna, fueled by headers from Jonathan David and Khephren Thuram.
The match at the Allianz Stadium was preceded by an emotional tribute to former goalkeeper Alexander Manninger, who tragically passed away earlier this week.
Luciano Spalletti’s men took full advantage of Como’s surprise defeat to Sassuolo, moving three points clear of the chasing pack with five games remaining.
While Milan sits second behind champions-elect Inter, Juventus remains firmly in control of their destiny as they look to return to Europe’s elite competition.
For bottom-side Verona, a fifth consecutive defeat leaves them ten points adrift of safety and staring down the barrel of almost certain relegation.
