AC Milan 3-3 Salernitana: Rossoneri settle for a point in six-goal thriller as Pioli, Giroud bid farewell
AC Milan's Serie A season ended with a disappointing 3-3 home draw against relegated Salernitana on Saturday, in what was coach Stefano Pioli and striker Olivier Giroud's final game at the club.
Milan led 2-0 at halftime thanks to goals from Rafael Leao and Giroud, but Salernitana pulled one back through forward Simeon Nwankwo in the second half before Davide Calabria restored the hosts' two-goal lead with a header.
However, Salernitana's Junior Sambia and Nwankwo equalised with two quick goals in the dying minutes.
Milan fans said goodbye to manager Pioli, who is leaving the club after five years and a disappointing season.
He led the Rossoneri to their first league title in over a decade in 2022, but they have struggled to compete since, finishing second this season with 75 points, 18 points behind Inter Milan, who face Hellas Verona in their final game on Sunday.
The seven-time European champions were eliminated from the Champions League in the group stage earlier this season before being knocked out of the Europa League in the quarterfinals by AS Roma.
"We lost together, we suffered together, we won and rejoiced together... You have an energy that we tried to put on the field," Pioli said as he thanked the fans during his speech on the pitch after the game.
"You put a fire in my heart and it will always remain lit. I will not forget you."
Pioli is Milan's fourth-winningest manager in Serie A (108), trailing only Carlo Ancelotti (163), Nereo Rocco (120), and Fabio Capello (110).
The hosts got off to a good start when Rafael Leao scored from close range in the 22nd minute, capitalising on an error by Salernitana keeper Vincenzo Fiorillo.
After scoring, the Portuguese ran to embrace Pioli, and other players rallied around the departing coach.
Giroud doubled the lead five minutes later, volleying in from an Alessandro Florenzi corner.
The Frenchman, who will join Major League Soccer (MLS) side Los Angeles FC after three years at Milan, scored his 49th goal for the Serie A club before being replaced in the 84th minute to a standing ovation from a packed San Siro.
Theo Hernandez thought he had made it 3-0 with a Leao pass before the break, but his effort was ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
However, the hosts' tempo dropped after halftime, and they lost points again, finishing the season with only one win in their last seven league games.
Salernitana return to Serie B following three seasons in the top flight. They finished the campaign at the bottom of the table, having suffered 25 defeats in 38 games.
SportsLigue