ROSSONERI GO MARCHING ON
Serie A
It's a new year but the same AC Milan. After ending 2020 with a 3-2 win at San Siro against Simone Inzaghi's Lazio, they kicked off 2021 by beating Pippo Inzaghi's Benevento 2-0. The decisive goals came from Kessie in the first half and Leão in the second; these were split by a sending off to Tonali after half an hour gone. Numerical inferiority didn't ruin the balance of Stefano Pioli's side as they - in spite of a good attacking display from Benevento - remained dangerous on the counter, hitting the post through Çalhanoğlu and Kessie. With this victory, AC Milan move to 37 points in the league, reclaiming top spot from local rivals Inter. Kjær, upon his return to the side, put in an immense shift at the back and there has to be praise for the performances of Donnarumma and Kessie. On Wednesday, the team face an extremely tough test as they host Juventus at San Siro at 20:45 CET.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM BENEVENTO V AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
The game was an open one right from the first whistle but the Rossoneri were the first to provide a substantial goal threat; in the 3rd minute, Brahim Díaz's shot from outside the box skimmed the crossbar. Benevento were well up for a game but were punished in the 14th minute, Tuia bringing Rebić down inside the penalty area. An ice-cool Kessie stepped up and converted from the spot, 1-0 to AC Milan. Franck added to his personal stats: 14 penalties converted from 16 taken, a success rate of 87.5%. The hosts reacted well and threatened down the left through Insigne, who struck the inside of the woodwork. There was a lot of pent-up aggression on the pitch and the Rossoneri were made to pay the price; Tonali received a straight red card for a foul on Ioniță in the 33rd minute. Benevento had their chins up as the first half drew to a close, going close through Letizia and Caprari, who were both denied by an alert Donnarumma. In between those two efforts, a chance fell to Romagnoli, who fired wide.
Despite being a man light, the Rossoneri began the second half with a wonderful goal from Leão, who latched onto Rebić's pass, rounded Montipò and, from an extraordinarily tight angle, chipped the scrambling goalie to double the Rossoneri's lead. The hosts stuck in the game, however, and never gave up, going close through an Insigne backheel - wide. The Giallorossi had the perfect chance to halve the deficit on the hour mark; Caprari won a penalty and stepped up to take it, firing wide. Benevento had two more chances; the first through Barba, who volleyed off target, and then Lapadula's driven effort, which was easily claimed by Gigio. The Rossoneri had their fill of hitting the post in the 72nd minute as Çalhanoğlu's long-ranged effort struck the upright. AC Milan were denied by the post again with six minutes of normal time remaining; Kessie, fed by Leão, looked to nestle one in the bottom right corner but only managed to hit one upright and then the other.
MATCH DETAILS
BENEVENTO 0-2 AC MILAN
BENEVENTO (4-3-2-1): Montipò; Letizia (39' Improta), Tuia (62' Foulon), Glik, Barba; Hetemaj (46' Moncini), Schiattarella, Ioniță; Insigne (82' Sau), Caprari (82' Di Serio); Lapadula. Subs.: Lucatelli, Manfredini; Foulon, Pastina; Basit, Dabo, Del Pinto, Tello. Coach: F. Inzaghi.
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma G.; Calabria (81' Conti), Kjær (81' Kalulu), Romagnoli, Dalot; Tonali, Kessie; Díaz (36' Krunić), Çalhanoğlu, Rebić (71' Castillejo); Leão. Subs.: Donnarumma A., Tătăruşanu; Duarte, Musacchio; Frigerio, Hauge; Colombo, Maldini. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Pasqua from Tivoli.
Goal: 14' rig. Kessie (M), 49' Leão (M).
Booked: 32' Schiattarella (B), 41' Çalhanoğlu (M), 78' Dalot (M), 80' Leão (M).
Sent off: 33' Tonali (M).
Notes: 60', penalty missed by Caprari (B).
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