Milan have fallen out of the Champions League qualification places after losing 3-0 to Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico. Napoli climbed above both Milan and Juventus and up to third with a 2-0 win at struggling Torino.
Stefano Pioli’s side spent 17 weeks at the Serie A summit this season but are now fifth after Joaquín Correa’s double condemned them to defeat. Milan, one of three Italian clubs to sign up to the ill-fated European Super League before reversing their decision, now face a battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
It took just 77 seconds for the hosts to take the lead through Correa, who exchanged passes with Ciro Imobile before rounding Milan keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Manuel Lazzari’s strike just before half-time was disallowed by VAR for offside, before Correa doubled Lazio’s lead six minutes into the second half.
The Argentina international dribbled past Fikayo Tomori and fired the ball into the roof of the net, and almost had a hat-trick when his fierce drive was tipped away by Donnarumma. Immobile then saw his lob came back off the post, but the forward did get on the scoresheet with three minutes remaining, drilling into the corner.
“We need to show that we are strong, like I believe we are,” Pioli told Sky Italia after the game. “We must react straight away, because this is a heavy defeat.” Franck Kessié’s stoppage-time header was the closest Milan came to scoring, but came back off the bar as Milan lost their second league game in a row.
Elsewhere, goals from Tiémoué Bakayoko and Victor Osimhen helped Napoli edge above Milan and Juve on goal difference with a win at Torino. Midfielder Bakayoko opened the scoring with a swerving shot from the edge of the area, with Osimhen getting the visitors’ second in the 13th minute, via a fortunate deflection.
Piotr Zielinski and Lorenzo Insigne both hit the post for Gennaro Gattuso’s side either side of the break, before Torino midfielder Rolando Mandragora picked up a second yellow card late on. Torino stay level with Cagliari and Benevento on the edge of the drop zone, but have a game in hand.
Napoli, Juventus and Milan all have 66 points, two behind second-placed Atalanta. Leaders Inter are 11 points clear and heading for their first title since 2010, while sixth-placed Lazio have a game in hand and are now five points off Milan.