10‑MAN AC MILAN BEAT PARMA
Serie A
AC Milan returned to winning ways today, beating Parma 3-1 and building on their impressive away record. Following a below-par display against Sampdoria last week, a reaction was needed at the Stadio Tardini. And this is exactly what the Rossoneri showed, producing a solid performance and coming away with a precious three points at a decisive stage of the season. The goals were scored by Rebić (8'), Kessie (44'), Gagliolo (66') and Leão (94') in a showdown where really big opportunities didn’t often come along.
The Diavolo were clinical in attack and managed the game well, especially after Ibrahimović’s sending-off, which was the only real negative to come from the match. The Rossoneri took control in the opening period and were never unduly troubled, although Ibra’s red card could have really knocked the wind out of AC Milan’s sails. However, Pioli’s team remained compact. After matchday 30 in Serie A, the Diavolo sit in second place on 63 points in the league. Next week, at 12:30 CEST on Sunday 18 April, they’ll face Genoa at San Siro.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM PARMA V AC MILAN
REPORT
AC Milan began brightly, with Sepe tipping a powerful effort from Kessie over the bar. The Rossoneri then took the lead in the eighth minute: following some great play by Ibrahimović, Rebić swivelled in the box and blasted the ball into the top corner with his right foot. The deadlock had been broken, but it didn’t set the game alight, with a period of very little goalmouth action commencing. In the 38th minute, Ibra headed over. Then, with 44 minutes of the clock, the Diavolo doubled their advantage following the only other big opportunity of the first half. It was another lovely goal, with Hernández feeding the ball through to Kessie, who subsequently drilled into the bottom corner.
After the restart, there was a scare as Donnarumma was called into action for the first time: the Rossoneri goalkeeper produced a fantastic double save to deny Conti and then Pellé. On the hour mark, Ibrahimović was sent off for dissent. With the Rossoneri down to ten men, Gagliolo pulled one back for the hosts in the 66th minute after Pellé had knocked the ball back across the box with his head. Grassi, Kucka, Traoré and Bani all had attempts at goal as the minutes ticked by, but there was nothing too concerning for Pioli’s team. In the 94th minute, AC Milan hit the hosts on the counter through Dalot, who rolled the ball across to Leão. The Portuguese man then stroked it into the net to seal an important win.
MATCH DETAILS
PARMA 1-3 AC MILAN
PARMA (4-3-3): Sepe; Conti (85' Traoré), Bani, Gagliolo, Pezzella (74' Busi); Kucka, Kurtić, Hernani Jr. (61' Grassi); Man, Pellé, Gervinho (46' Cornelius). Subs: Colombi; Bruno Alves, Dierckx, Laurini, Osorio, Valenti; Camara, Brugman. Coach: D'Aversa.
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): G. Donnarumma; Kalulu (78' Gabbia), Kjær, Tomori, Hernández; Bennacer (77' Meïte), Kessie; Saelemaekers (72' Dalot), Çalhanoğlu (77' Krunić), Rebić (84' Leão); Ibrahimović. Subs: A. Donnarumma, Tătărușanu; Castillejo, Díaz, Hauge, Tonali; Mandžukić. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Maresca from Napoli.
Goals: 8' Rebić (M), 44' Kessie (M), 66' Gagliolo P), 94' Leão (M).
Booked: 10' Bani (P), 24' Çalhanoğlu (M), 37' Pezzella (P), 38' Gagliolo (P), 63' Kucka (P), 78' Hernández (M), 86' Kessie (M).
Sent off: 60' Ibrahimović (M).
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