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Bacca misses great chances as Milan lose, finish sixth in Serie A

AC Milan ended the Serie A campaign with a 2-1 defeat at Cagliari on Sunday, with Fabio Pisacane scoring an injury-time winner for the hosts. Gianluca Lapadula had earlier canceled out Joao Pedro's opener, but with Gabriel Paletta sent off for the fifth time this season and Carlos Bacca missing a penalty, Milan fell to defeat and end the season in sixth place.

Positives

Having already secured a Europa League spot, Milan had little to play for on Sunday other than pride. While they had plenty of problems dealing with Cagliari, they continued to push in search of a breakthrough to end on a positive note.

Negatives

There was nowhere near enough quality on display across the pitch, and it's questionable as to how many of the players in the starting lineup will still be at the club next season, or at least will still be involved in the first team.

Manager rating out of 10

7 -- Vincenzo Montella did what he could to get something from the game and didn't wait too long to make changes. However, when the quality just isn't there and his hand is forced with injuries and red cards, there's not much more he can do.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Gianluigi Donnarumma, 6 -- A busy afternoon for the shot stopper, who was called into action on a number of occasions and produced some fine saves. Should have done better on the winning goal, though, when he parried the ball back into danger.

DF Davide Calabria, 6 -- A real threat going forward, but will have to improve defensively over the summer. Showed his versatility having been moved around the pitch. In context, he put in a decent shift.

DF Gustavo Gomez, 5 -- After a really impressive outing last time out, Gomez showed that the consistency isn't there yet. Too many mistakes in possession and caught out for the first goal along with Calabria. He still hasn't proven he can hold down a regular spot in the starting lineup.

DF Gabriel Paletta, 4 -- Equaled a Serie A record with his fifth dismissal of the season. Hasn't learned his lesson, and it could prove costly to his hopes of staying beyond this summer.

DF Leonel Vangioni, 5 -- Didn't offer as much of an attacking threat as he usually does. While it was an average defensive display, he was caught out at times before being replaced at halftime.

MF Juraj Kucka, 5 -- There's never any question about his tenacity and energy, but he doesn't have the required quality to match it. Sloppy on the ball, and almost cost his side a goal with a misplaced back pass.

MF Manuel Locatelli, 6 -- A tidy performance from the young midfielder; his pass completion was decent and he did well to recycle possession. However, too many errors in the buildup of play, which he needs to improve on.

MF Mati Fernandez, 6 -- He adds a different dynamic to the midfield, and he produced some good bits of play throughout the game. However, not always decisive enough in the final third, and that was a disappointment.

FW Suso, 5 -- Only lasted 30 minutes before being replaced because of injury. Always looking to get on the ball, but it wasn't really clicking for him before he went off.

FW Carlos Bacca, 5 -- Spurned a glorious chance in the first half, then compounded his miserable afternoon with a missed penalty. It has to be asked if this was his last game as a Milan player, and if it was, it was a terrible one.

FW Keisuke Honda, 6 -- A farewell outing, he was handed a rare start and the captain's armband ahead of leaving this summer. Did his best to repay that wonderful gesture with a combative display and was never lacking in effort.

Substitutes

FW Lucas Ocampos, 5 -- It's been a woeful loan spell for Ocampos since January and although he had his moments on Sunday and worked hard after coming on for Suso, the quality still isn't there. It would be a shock to see him back next season.

FW Gianluca Lapadula, 6 -- Provided his usual lift up front with his pressing and energy, while also getting on the scoresheet from the penalty spot. A positive end to the season for the striker, who has been a much more influential figure than Bacca when selected.

DF Cristian Zapata, NR -- A late substitute to add defensive protection after Paletta's dismissal.