Massimiliano Allegri refused to criticise his AC Milan players following their failure to qualify for the Champions League despite admitting "nobody" expected them to fall short.

Milan went into the final matchday of the Serie A campaign with their European fate squarely in their own hands, sitting third in the table.

But with Roma, Como and Juventus all within touching distance, the Rossoneri knew only a victory over Cagliari would guarantee a place among Europe's elite, and they fell woefully short.

After going ahead through an early Alexis Saelemaekers strike, Milan went 2-1 down to goals from Gennaro Borrelli and Juan Rodriguez either side of half-time, and if anything, they were fortunate not to lose by a greater margin.

Mike Maignan made nine saves to keep Milan in the contest, but they were unable to take advantage and turn things around at the other end as they dropped to fifth in the table.

Milan's 70 points are the most they have ever earned in a Serie A season while finishing outside the top four (accounting for three points for a win all-time), and Allegri was in no mood to play the blame game at full-time.

"Unfortunately, we cannot change the result now. When we lose five home games the way we did, we end up in this position," Allegri told DAZN Italia.

"It had started well, we thought by taking the lead, the result was to be taken for granted, but that was not the case, and we defended very badly, especially the first goal.

"I have nothing to reproach my lads for; they did absolutely everything possible to qualify for the Champions League.

"I am disappointed and angry, because we missed out on the Champions League. After we beat Genoa last week, nobody expected a defeat like this. 

"Unfortunately, this is sport, we have to accept it. We need to evaluate the whole season – we must be clear-eyed when looking at the overall situation."

Milan ended the season with a four-match winless run at San Siro (D1 L3), their worst streak since April 2021.

Allegri had repeatedly proclaimed Champions League qualification to be his aim after returning for a second stint in charge of the Rossoneri last summer, and he was asked what their failure to reach that target meant for his future.

"I don't know about the future, right now my thoughts only go to the lack of results," Allegri responded.

"Naturally, the whole year must be evaluated, mistakes were made, but there is no point talking about it now."

Roma and Como secured third and fourth place, respectively, with final-day wins, as Juventus also missed out on Champions League football.

It will be the first time since the competition's 1992-93 rebrand that both Milan and Juventus are absent from the same edition.