CALHANOGLU WINS IT FOR AC MILAN IN FLORENCE

A goal from Hakan Calhanoglu helped keep AC Milan in the race for the Champions League. Coach Gattuso's side picked up a vital win in Florence to as they kept alive their hopes of finishing in the top four in the league. Calhanoglu's header was enough to decide the game in the 35th minute following Suso's assist. The Rossoneri were excellent in the first half and managed to hold off Fiorentina's response in the second 45 minutes. As regards individuals, Gigio Donnarumma was on hand a number of times to deny the Viola as they looked for a way back into the match. There were many positive signs for AC Milan tonight in Florence, with Gattuso's men picking up their third win in five league games and recording their second successive success following on from the Bologna result. Furthermore, they managed to keep a clean sheet away from San Siro. The Rossoneri now sit on 62 points in the league, three behind Atalanta and temporarily one behind Inter.

GUARDA: LE MIGLIORI IMMAGINI DI FIORENTINA-MILAN

REPORT

The Rossoneri began well and could have taken the lead in the ninth minute through Piatek, but the Polish striker couldn't direct his header on target following Abate's cross. Gattuso's men had a golden opportunity in the 21st minute, but Suso fired straight at Lafont from inside the box after Musacchio had played the ball in. Three minutes later, Lafont was called into action again as he saved Calhanoglu's low strike. The Rossoneri were finally rewarded for their pressure in the 35th minute: Suso's excellent cross was met by Calhanoglu, who managed to glance the ball into the back of the net to give AC Milan the lead. The Viola began the second half strongly and came close to equalising through Chiesa, whose vicious shot dipped just over the bar. Shortly after, Donnarumma did well to deny Mirallas, who had managed to break into the penalty area and get a shot away. In the 63rd minute, Donnarumma's reflexes were tested once again as Kessie almost diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper. With 76 minutes on the clock, Chiesa had Fiorentina's next chance as he cut inside and let fly, but Donnarumma stood firm once more before captain Romagnoli managed to stop Vlahovic getting to the rebound. As the match entered the final ten minutes, Cutrone shot narrowly wide of the far post. It wasn't to matter though: AC Milan held on to win at the Franchi.

MATCH SUMMARY

FIORENTINA 0-1 AC MILAN

FIORENTINA (4-3-3): Lafont; Laurini (69' Gerson), Milenkovic, Vitor Hugo, Biraghi; Dabo (84' Noorgard), Fernandes (74' Vlahovic), Benassi; Mirallas, Muriel, Chiesa. Subs.: Brancolini, Terracciano; Antzoulas, Ceccherini, Ferrarini, Hancko, Koffi, Montiel; Simeone. Coach: Montella.

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Abate, Musacchio, Romagnoli, Rodriguez; Kessie, Bakayoko, Calhanoglu; Suso (81' Castillejo), Piatek (74' Cutrone), Borini (89' Laxalt). Subs.: Reina, Donnarumma A.; Conti, Zapata; Bertolacci, Biglia, Laxalt, Mauri. Coach: Gattuso.

Referee: Mariani from Aprilia.
Goal: 35' Calhanoglu (M).
Booked: 34' Biraghi (F), 67' Laurini (F).

RELIVE FIORENTINA V AC MILAN PLAY BY PLAY

The new official PUMA match kits for the 2018/19 season are available in the AC Milan Online Store