LEADERS AC MILAN SECURE HOME WIN OVER FIORENTINA
Serie A
It was a convincing and important victory for the Rossoneri on Sunday, as the hosts redeemed themselves following the past two home fixtures against Fiorentina by winning 2-0. First-half goals from captain Romagnoli and Franck Kessie made the difference at San Siro, with the latter scoring from the penalty spot in the 28th minute. It was a confident performance from an AC Milan side missing several players and one that came at a delicate point in the Serie A season. Coming up against Prandelli’s Fiorentina side desperate for points, Bonera set out a diminutive Milan team packed with talent that proved troublesome for the Viola defence. Focus, fitness and ambition were integral to the Rossoneri’s triumph, with the home side missing out on scoring a third after Kessie failed to score his second from the spot. After entering the break two goals up, Milan were calm and composed after the interval, with the visitors threatening Donnarumma on just one occasion. This win leaves league leagues Milan on 23 points, with attention now turned to Thursday’s Europa League encounter against Celtic. Taking place at San Siro on Thursday, this is yet another match with no room for error.
MATCH REPORT
Fiorentina started the match strongly on Sunday afternoon, with Castrovilli and Ribery linking up well down the left. However, the first real chance fell to Milan in the 17th minute, with Romagnoli heading in the opener after meeting a flick-on from Kessie from a Çalhanoğlu corner. This sparked an instant reaction from the Viola, with Ribery laying off Vlahović who struck a fierce effort off the woodwork. It was then in the 27th minute that Milan snatched a second from the penalty spot after Pezzella brought down Saelemeakers in the box. Kessie stepped up to take it and sent Drągowski the wrong way to make it 2-0. It was then just 10 minutes later that Milan were awarded yet another penalty after Cáceres fouled Theo in the area. Kessie was handed responsibility once again, but this time Fiorentina’s goalkeeper guessed the right way to make the save. After reaching the interval with a two-goal advantage, Milan nearly scored a third early in the second half after Çalhanoğlu hit a left-footed effort the post. It was then in the 55th minute that Ribery nearly pulled one back for Fiorentina after beating the offside trap; however, Donnarumma came out in top. Kessie enjoyed another chance to get on the scoresheet in the 68th minute but was unable to keep his acrobatic effort on target. Fiorentina threatened little as the game petered out, with the Rossoneri securing what was a comfortable win.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 2-0 FIORENTINA
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): G. Donnarumma; Calabria, Kjær, Romagnoli, Hernández; Tonali (82' Hauge), Kessie; Saelemaekers (92' Dalot), Çalhanoğlu, Díaz (74' Krunić); Rebić. Subs.: A. Donnarumma, Tătăruşanu; Conti, Duarte, Gabbia, Kalulu; Colombo, Maldini. Coach: Bonera
FIORENTINA (4-3-3): Drągowski; Cáceres (60' Lirola), Pezzella, Milenković, Biraghi; Castrovilli (77' Borja Valero), Pulgar, Amrabat; Callejón (46' Bonaventura), Vlahović (77' Kouamé), Ribery (86' Cutrone). Subs.: Terracciano; Barreca, Igor, Martinez Quarta; Duncan, Eysseric, Saponara. Coach: Prandelli.
Referee: Abisso from Palermo
Goal: 17' Romagnoli (M), 27' pen. Kessie (M)
Booked: 25' Pezzella (F), 47' Rebić (M), 52' Castrovilli (F), 71' Kessie (M), 86' Biraghi (F), 91' Amrabat (F).
Notes: 37' penalty missed by Kessie (M).
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