SUPER‑SUB REBIĆ WINS IT FOR AC MILAN
Serie A
A hard-fought, vital and ultimately deserved victory that arrived in the very last minute. Today’s star of the show at San Siro was Ante Rebić, scorer of the goal to make it 1-1 as well as our winner at the death to make it 3-2, Theo Hernández netting yet another sublime goal to make it 2-1 in between. Today was a real kickstart for Ante, as the Croatian shook the dust off a complicated start to the season and put in a wonderful performance, grabbing his first two goals in Rossoneri colours. Today’s tough and constantly threatening Udinese side were hard to break down, and only capitulated with seconds left to play, having opened the scoring with Stryger Larsen early on and nearly stealing a point through Lasagna with five minutes left on the clock. But Ante Rebić decided it was not to be, gifting AC Milan their first league win at San Siro since 31 October. It was an afternoon full of emotions, but in the end it was a superb start to the return round of fixtures for Coach Pioli’s boys, who climb to 28 points in the table after their second consecutive win in Serie A, and third in a row if you include the Coppa Italia. The Rossoneri will now be looking to continue this good run of form, attentions turning to their next league engagement against Brescia at the Rigamonti on Friday 24 January (20:45 CET KO).
CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM THE GAME
MATCH REPORT
AC Milan were thrown right in at the deep end, Donnarumma missing the ball after rushing out of his goal and leaving Stryger Larsen to curl home into an empty net after just six minutes of play. Lasagna nearly grabbed a second after 16 minutes, and there were plenty of shouts for a Rossoneri penalty ten minutes later after the ball touched Ekong’s arm in the box: nothing doing and Romagnoli couldn’t quite convert from the resulting corner. Leão smashed one at goal before the end of the half but Nuytinck did well to block the effort and send his team into the break still in front. Our number 99 in net managed to redeem himself as the second half got underway, keeping out a powerful left-footer from Lasagna. Then Milan found a way back into the game. Conti flew down the right, skipped past his man and pulled a perfect ball back for the onrushing Rebić to fire home for the equaliser – his first goal for the Rossoneri. Pioli’s boys then upped the pressure, Ibrahimović a constant nuisance in the opposition area. The game was still however very much in the balance and the scoreline was only kept level by Donnarumma, doing brilliantly first to keep out Mandragora and then Okaka. Castillejo and Leão then both had chances of their own, Musso resilient in keeping our forwards out. But not for long, as up stepped Theo Hernández for the umpteenth time, skilfully smashing home an incredible volley with his left to give us the lead in the 71st minute. Lasagna grabbed an equaliser through a smart header with five minutes left to play, but there was no need to fear with Ante Rebić still out on the pitch. Our Croatian striker dribbled his way through deep into stoppage time, dragging his shot across goal and past Musso to give the Rossoneri the win on the day.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 3-2 UDINESE
MILAN (4-4-2): Donnarumma G.; Conti, Kjær, Romagnoli, Hernández; Castillejo (77' Krunić), Kessie, Bennacer, Bonaventura (46' Rebić); Ibrahimović, Leão. Subs.: Begović, Donnarumma A.; Gabbia; Paquetá; Piątek, Suso. Coach: Pioli
UDINESE (3-5-2): Musso; Becao, Ekong, Nuytinck (78' Nestorovski); Stryger Larsen, Fofana, Mandragora, De Paul, Sema (88' Ter Avest); Okaka (92' De Maio), Lasagna. Subs.: Nicolas, Perisan; Opoku, Jajalo, Walace, Barak, Teodorczyk. Coach: Gotti
Referee: Pairetto from Nichelino
Goal: 6' Stryger Larsen (U), 48' Rebić (M), 71' Hernández (M), 85' Lasagna (U), 93' Rebić (M).
Booked: 27' Sema (U), 40' Bennacer (M), 53' Pioli (M), 62' Conti (M), 80' Ibrahimović (M).
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