Inside AC Milan's climb to Serie A summit as Olivier Giroud seals first title in 11 years

The 2021-22 Serie A title was one always destined to end up in Milan - it was just a case of whether it would be AC or Inter lifting the trophy come May.

It would be the former who would go on to be crowned champions - their first league crown since more than a decade ago back in 2011.

AC Milan were every inch the worthy winners as they pipped their fierce rivals Inter to the title on the final day of a gruelling, dramatic season.

Despite being 40 years of age, Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains the pin-up boy for this AC Milan achievement. The veteran striker has defied plenty of critics and nay-sayers with some of his performances this term, but it is clearly not just the Swedish star that deserves the plaudits.

The likes of goalkeeper Mike Maignan - who arrived under immense pressure to fill the void left by academy star Gianluigi Donnarumma, or ex-Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori are just as worthy of huge praise for their efforts this term.

Lifting the title also goes some way to vindicating the call from the club hierarchy to appoint manager Stefano Pioli back in 2019 despite the fact he had briefly taken the reins at Inter. He has proved to be an inspired appointment and sealed his place in the hearts of the Rossoneri faithful forever.

A fantastic communicator, Pioli has recently admitted the winning mentality instilled in his troops was born in the wake of a humiliating 5-0 hammering at the hands of Atalanta back in December 2019.

"It was one of the most negative moments of my career," he admitted to DAZN last week, "but also one of the most valuable. That was when we realised what was needed to develop this team."

Pioli did not achieve this incredible feat alone, he was aided by other high-profile figures within the