AC Milan beats last-place Monza amid widespread protests over poor season
AC Milan fans hold a protest in the square of the Portello area of Milan, Italy near the club's headquarters on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Credit: AP/Stefano Porta
ROME — AC Milan beat last-placed Monza 2-0 in its final match in Serie A on Saturday amid widespread protests.
Matteo Gabbia scored with a second-half header at the San Siro then Joao Felix converted a free kick as Milan moved up to seventh place.
Earlier, thousands of fans protested outside the club headquarters over Milan failing to qualify for Europe and losing to Bologna in the Italian Cup final.
There were more protests inside the San Siro.
Fans on the upper level at one end positioned themselves to form the words, “Go home.” Then they walked out during the early stages of the first half.
There were also chants aimed at Milan’s American owner Gerry Cardinale.
“Cardinale, you have to sell. Get out,” the fans said.
Genoa's Vitor Manuel Carvalho Oliveira "Vitinha", left, fights for the ball with Bologna's Tommaso Pobega during the Serie A soccer match between Bologna and Genoa, at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium, in Bologna, Italy, Saturday, May 24, 2025. Credit: AP/Michele Nucci
Milan began the season as a potential title contender but ended up 19 points behind champion Napoli.
The seven-time European champion was eliminated by Feyenoord in the Champions League playoffs in February.
Meanwhile, city rival Inter Milan will play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final next Saturday.
Genoa beats Bologna
Genoa won at Bologna 3-1 with two goals from 18-year-old Lorenzo Venturino.
Milan's Joao Felix in action during during the Serie A soccer match between Milan and Monza at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, Italy, Saturday, May. 24, 2025. Credit: AP/Alberto Mariani
The defeat still didn’t prevent Bologna fans from celebrating another strong season, which included an Italian Cup trophy and a Europa League berth.
Bologna was left in ninth place while Genoa was 13th.
Vitinha put Genoa ahead early and Venturino made the most of his first start with two first-half goals, the first of which included some fancy dribbling past several defenders.
Riccardo Orsolini pulled one back for Bologna in the second half.
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