MILAN (Reuters) -AC Milan closed in on their first Serie A title in 11 years on Sunday after targets from Rafael Leao and Theo (*11*) earned them a 2-0 win over Atalanta, a victory that moved them 5 factors clear on the high of the standings.
With second-placed Inter Milan not in motion till later on Sunday towards Cagliari, league leaders Milan knew they might pile the stress on their rivals with victory over Atalanta.
But Stefano Pioli’s crew regarded nervy and devoid of concepts in the first half, failing to create a clear-cut probability in all the opening 45 minutes.
Their high quality shone by way of in the second half, nevertheless, as a wonderful end from in-form Brazilian ahead Leao and an excellent solo effort from fullback (*11*) noticed Milan residence, a lot to the reduction of an expectant San Siro.
Should Inter fail to beat Cagliari in Sardinia, Milan can be champions, however even when their rivals win, a draw in subsequent weekend’s remaining match at Sassuolo will see the Scudetto return to the crimson half of the town.
“I needed to say goodbye to the followers, it is a 12 months that excites me,” Pioli instructed DAZN. “It’s not over but, we have to be decided and calm.
“I’m very glad, as a result of we performed towards a powerful crew that created difficulties for us. We did properly in the attacking part and we discovered options. We by no means misplaced our readability and we at all times believed in it, so the victory is a well-deserved reward.
“I’m dwelling very regular weeks, as a result of I see the optimistic angle of my gamers. We have an essential background, derived from two years collectively. The boys make me proud.”
Sunday’s win was Milan’s fifth league success in a row they usually stretched their unbeaten Serie A run to fifteen matches.
Substitute Junior Messias provided a wonderful cross into Leao, who took a contact earlier than slotting residence his eleventh league objective of the season in the 56th minute.
Eighth-placed Atalanta, who’re nonetheless hoping to qualify for Europe subsequent season, not often threatened an equaliser.
(*11*) then produced a surprising effort that could possibly be a goal-of-the-season contender. He picked the ball up in his personal half quarter-hour from time, and ran and ran, bypassing a number of challenges earlier than drilling into the web to seal an important victory in Milan’s remaining residence sport in entrance of a raucous crowd.
Elsewhere in Serie A on Sunday, Napoli made positive they are going to end third forward of Juventus after a 3-0 win over Genoa.
(Reporting by Peter HallEditing by Toby Davis and Pritha Sarkar)
