What AC Milan need to secure a Champions League spot after round 37 results

AC Milan did what they needed to do on Sunday afternoon as they beat Genoa 2-1 away from home to take a big step towards a top four spot.

Goals in the second half from Christopher Nkunku (from a penalty he won) and Zachary Athekame would ultimately be enough to get past Daniele De Rossi’s Genoa, despite a late goal from Vasquez making it a nervy finish.

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Milan went into the final two matches of 2025-26 knowing that they needed two wins to lock in a Champions League place and they managed to obtain the first one. Now, they face Cagliari next weekend hoping to finish the job.

What is needed

Thanks to a routine 3-0 win at Pisa with goals from McTominay, Rrahmani and Hojlund, Napoli have mathematically secured their place in the top four.

In addition to Milan, Roma and Como are also smiling. Mancini was the derby hero, scoring a brace in the 2-0 victory over Lazio, while Moreno scored the winner in the 1-0 victory over Parma for the latter.

Juventus have had a nightmare day, going from third to sixth in a single match, falling 2-0 at the Allianz Stadium against Fiorentina. Goals from Ndour and Mandragora were enough for La Viola, who had a man sent off at 1-0.

So, Milan only need to win against Cagliari on the final matchday to avoid even having to look at their rivals’ results. If they don’t win, however, they’d have to hope for slip-ups from Roma (who are tied on points but behind head-to-head matches), Juventus and/or Como.

Juve and Como are two points behind but the Bianconeri have a better goal difference with the head-to-head even. However, Milan have an advantage over Como in the head-to-head, so a draw against Cagliari means even a win for the Lariani wouldn’t see them overtake.

The various combinations

Two-team tie: If Milan finish level on points with Roma or Como they will finish higher due to head-to-head advantage. If they are level with Juventus, they will be lower as the head-to-head is even but Juve have a far better goal difference.

If at the end of the season, three or more teams finish with the same number of points, the head-to-head standings will be taken into account to create a mini-league of results with the teams involved.

These are the criteria, to be followed in order:

– Points in head-to-head clashes
– Goal difference in head-to-head matches
– Overall goal difference achieved in the league
– Number of goals scored overall in the league
– Resolving draw

Juventus, Milan and Roma tied on points

1. Juventus 6 (goal difference in head-to-head matches +1, overall +27)
2. Milan 6 (goal difference in head-to-head matches +1, overall +19)
3. Roma 2

Juventus, Milan, and Como tied on points

1. Como 7
2. Milan 6
3. Juventus 2

Milan, Roma and Como tied on points

1. Milan 8
2. Roma 4 (goal difference in head-to-head matches -1)
3. Como 4 (goal difference in head-to-head matches -2)

Milan, Juventus, Roma and Como tied on points

1. Milan 10 (goal difference in head-to-head matches +3)
2. Como 10 (goal difference in head-to-head matches +2)
3. Juventus 6
4. Rome 2