AC Milan strike late to book UCL spot
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E-mail Xinhua, May 20, 2013
AC Milan scored two late goals in four minutes to secure a dramatic 2-1 win at Siena as well as the final Champions League place on the last day of the Serie A season.
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AC Milan players celebrate after Mexes scoring the winner late in the second half. |
Milan had to beat Siena, who had been already relegated, to make sure of a Champions League spot for the next season, but the hosts surprisingly took the lead in the 25th minute through Claudio Terzi.
Then Massimiliano Allegri's men pulled them together minutes before the finish, with Mario Balotelli pulling it level with a penalty kick in the 84th minute. Then three minutes later, Philippe Mexes picked up a free-kick pass from teammate to score the crucial winner. Milan captain Massimo Ambrosini and Siena's Christian Terlizzi were then both sent off for second bookable offences in the space of two minutes.
Milan's win made Fiorentina's 5-1 win at Pescara redundant.
Vincenzo Montella's side disposed of their relegated hosts with ease thanks to a hat-trick from Adem Ljajic and goals from Steven Jovetic and Matias Fernandez.
Udinese dealt Inter Milan a 5-2 loss at the San Siro to tie down the final automatic Europa League place.
Lazio suffered a 1-0 loss at Cagliari, and Roma beat Napoli 2-1 at home. Both these two capital teams have to pursue Europa League football through the Coppa Italia final.
Torino and Catania fought out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Stadio Olimpico to end their campaigns.
A late goal from Cyril Thereau denied Atalanta a winning end to the season as Chievo took home a point from a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia.
Bologna and Genoa shared the points but failed to score any goals in a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.
Palermo suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Parma in their final outing in Italy's top flight ahead of their relegation to Serie B.
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