Gennaro Gattuso felt AC Milan lacked conviction in the opposition penalty area as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sassuolo.
Nikola Kalinic came off the bench to snatch a point for the hosts at San Siro four minutes from time after Sassuolo absorbed considerable first-half pressure and led through Matteo Politano's fine 75th-minute finish.
The result meant Milan were unable to fully capitalise upon defeats for Inter in fifth and Roma in the final Champions League qualification spot – the latter prize appearing a remote prospect with eight points to make up over the remaining seven games of the season.