‘Derby nightmare’ – ball passes to Cardinale as Pioli era ends bitterly

AC Milan suffered yet another big game defeat last night, and this time it was one that saw Inter celebrate the Scudetto at San Siro.

This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) reels off a list of rather damning facts: it is a sixth consecutive derby loss for Milan, tying the record streak for either side, opening up a 17-point gap between the teams which means Inter have won the title, getting their 20th and therefore a second star before their rivals.

This alone is enough to encapsulate a nightmare for the Rossoneri, and yet it came a few days after another defeat to a rival, namely Roma in the Europa League which saw another trophy target go up in smoke.

Another debacle

Milan went into the month of April knowing that there was an opportunity to salvage the season or to make sure that it went down as a very forgettable one, and last night confirmed it will be the latter.

The gap of 17 points in the table was evident as well as the tactical and technical limitations of a team who arrived at yesterday’s match frustrated. Pioli tried again to provide some certainties but yesterday’s choices also proved to be wrong.

Just as they did in the two legs against Roma, the Rossoneri suddenly lost all certainties and not even the supposed leaders of the team were able to calm the situation and take charge of things.

After the two late red cards which showed how Milan had emotionally boiled over, they had to attend their cousins’ party in their own home . Now the Rossoneri will have to start again but it will not do so with Stefano Pioli, whose cycle has come to an end.

The coach will be left to work until the end of the season also out of respect and gratitude for what has been done at Milanello in recent years, but he once again postponed questions about his future until the end.

“Cycle over? I honestly don’t know. I’m fine here, I’m working well, I think this team has room for improvement. Now let’s finish the season and then we’ll make all the possible assessments,” he said.