ROME: Juventus missed a chance to exploit AC Milan’s earlier slip and take third place in Serie A as they drew 1-1 at home with relegated Hellas Verona on Sunday.

Juve did however climb three points clear of Como in the chase for the fourth Champions league qualifying spot with three Seria A games remaining.

AC Milan had relinquished their last, slim, hope of catching Inter at the top as they subsided 2-0 at mid-table Sassuolo. Milan endured a nightmare afternoon in Reggio Emilia.

Following this fourth defeat in their last seven matches, the Rossoneri trail Inter by 12 points.

Juventus remained two points behind Milan after struggling to breach determined defending from Verona who were relegated on Friday.

While Juve dominated possession they handed their visitors the opener when Domagoj Bradaric slid in a low cross that Kieron Bowie scuffed home. It was one of Verona’s only two shots on target. Bowie drilled a long-range shot straight at Michele de Grigorio in the Juve goal in the last five minutes.

Juventus, meanwhile, bombarded the visitors’ goal, taking 23 shots, six of them on target.

Dusan Vlahovic levelled after 61 minutes with a free kick from 25 metres. His gentle but low, curling and accurate shot skipped inside the post. Juventus came close in a frantic late assault when Edon Zhorgova’s deflected shot hit the inside of a post.

In Sassoulo, it took just five minutes for Sassuolo to take the lead through Domenico Berardi.

Unrecognisable and awkward, Massimiliano Allegri’s Milan side played with 10 for most of the match after English defender Fikayo Tomori was sent off in the 24th minute for a second booking.

Frenchman Armand Lauriente doubled Sassuolo’s lead in the 47th minute and a furious Allegri made a string of changes, but Milan failed to get back into the game.

“I understand our fans’ frustration; we all want to secure Champions League qualification as soon as possible,” Allegri told broadcaster DAZN.

“In these difficult times, we must keep our heads held high. We have three matches left to play, and with two wins, we’ll be in the Champions League.”

On Saturday, Napoli and Como drew 0-0 in a result that did little to further either of their ambitions for this season.

The draw will likely disappoint hosts Como the more as they now trail Juventus in the final Champions League spot by three points.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2026