Spezia 2-0 AC Milan - Spezia produce big shock as Milan suffer Serie A top-four finish blow

AC Milan’s hopes of a top-four finish in Serie A suffered a devastating blow as Stefano Pioli’s side lost 2-0 to relegation-threatened Spezia at Stadio Picco. Milan were hoping to bounce back after suffering a chastening 2-0 loss to Inter Milan in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final but their season continued to spiral downhill following this damaging defeat. Ad Przemyslaw Wisniewski popped up with the opener with just 15 minutes remaining and Salvatore Esposito netted his first goal for the club to secure the points – just Spezia’s second win since January.

Champions League'All over the shop' – Crouch, Gerrard shocked by 'passive and bizarre' AC Milan display10/05/2023 AT 22:24 Played at a snail’s pace for the majority, the first half was a dire affair with little goalmouth action. Sandro Tonali threatened early on when he shot against the post before Theo Hernandez called Spezia goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski into action with an effort from distance. The efforts of Spezia – who are winless in eight – was almost rewarded with the lead when Kelvin Amian Adou headed wide from 12 yards out.

After the break, Milan had a strong case for a penalty turned down when Brahim Diaz went down under pressure from Salvatore Esposito. Frustration grew for Diaz when the Spaniard was denied by the woodwork from an acute angle. With Milan desperate for a goal, it felt strange that Pioli took off two of his better players in Alexis Saelemaekers and Theo Hernandez with 25 minutes remaining.