Serie A – AC Milan 1-2 Cagliari, missing out on Champions League qualification; Saelemaekers' quick goal couldn't save them.

In the 38th round of the 2025/26 Serie A season, AC Milan suffered a shock 1-2 defeat at home to Cagliari. They ultimately finished fifth with a record of 20 wins, 10 draws, and 8 losses, accumulating 70 points and missing out on Champions League qualification for next season.

Cagliari's record is now 11 wins, 10 draws and 17 losses, and they are currently ranked 14th in Serie A with 43 points.

AC Milan took the initiative early, breaching Cagliari's goal just two minutes into the game: Santiago Jiménez headed the ball across the box, and Alexis Saelemaekers followed up with a low shot to open the scoring. However, Cagliari quickly responded. In the 20th minute, Adam Obert took a corner from the right, and Yerry Mina headed the ball towards goal, setting up Gennaro Borrelli to equalize.

Both teams then exchanged attacks, but neither managed to score. In the 27th minute, Saelemaekers played a diagonal pass into the left side of the penalty area, where Christoph Nkunku's shot was saved by Elia Caprile. In the 30th minute, Adrian Rabiot delivered a long cross from the attacking third, and Youssef Fofana's header in the penalty area was again caught by Caprile. In the 39th minute, Gabriel Zappa crossed from the right wing into the penalty area, and Alessandro Diola's powerful shot was also caught by Mike Maignan.

The second half began with both sides switching ends. In the 57th minute, Cagliari won a free kick on the left side of the attacking third. Borelli turned and fired a powerful shot amidst the scramble, forcing Maignan to make a poor save. Juan Rodriguez then capitalized on the opportunity to head the ball into the net, extending the lead to 2-1.

After that, AC Milan continued their attacking battle with Cagliari. In the 63rd minute, Saelemaekers delivered a cross from the right wing, and Christian Pulisic's header inside the box went just wide. In the 72nd minute, Marco Palestella crossed from the right, and Borelli's low shot was saved by Maignan. In the 75th minute, Rafael Leão cut inside from the left and delivered a cross, but Rabiot's bicycle kick attempt failed. In the 86th minute, Paulo Mendy had a golden opportunity with a one-on-one chance, but his shot from the edge of the box was brilliantly saved by Maignan. Ultimately, the match ended with Milan suffering a 2-1 defeat to Cagliari.

Image source: Internet/AC Milan official website