GIROUD'S VOLLEY LATE ON SEALS VICTORY OVER SPEZIA

Oli does it again. Giroud came up with a 90th-minute winner which saw AC Milan overtake Atalanta and claim second place. The Rossoneri won 2-1 against a combative Spezia side; Theo Hernández scored in the first half before Daniel Maldini equalised on the hour mark. This win has also kept up a good run for the Rossoneri at San Siro on a Saturday: six wins in six games. It was Giroud’s fifth league goal of the campaign, his ninth in all competitions, confirming his extraordinary start to the season.

Milan controlled large swathes of the game and were 1-0 up at the break, though it could have been more had it not been for a string of saves from Spezia shot-stopper Drągowski. The French forward, who was subbed on in the second half, popped up late on to help the Rossoneri avoid a draw with a stunning volley. Sandro Tonali was put in a decisive performance off the bench too, providing the killer assist for the winner, and even seeing a splendid goal disallowed by VAR. It's now time for the final week of Serie A football in 2022: before the break for the World Cup, the Rossoneri take on Cremonese on Tuesday and Fiorentina next weekend.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v SPEZIA

MATCH REPORT
The first chance came after 6 minutes with Díaz shooting over, after Bennacer’s lay-off. Drągowski, the Polish shot-stopper, was in the thick of the action inside the opening 20 minutes keeping out three efforts on goal: after 14 minutes, he stopped Tomori’s shot with his feet, after Tătăruşanu had earlier reacted well to Caldara’s attempt. He then blocked Diaz’s header again with his feet, after Krunić had smacked a half-volley against the bar with his right, and after 18 minutes pushed a left-foot piledriver from Messias over the bar. But 21 minutes in and AC Milan took the lead: Bennacer played a perfect ball over the top for Hernández, who chested it down and volleyed it in with his left from close range to deservedly put the Rossoneri 1-0 up. The duo Isma-Theo combined well again five minutes before the end of the half after a long build-up, but the number 19’s left-foot strike this time didn’t catch Drągowski out. The last chance for the home side came in the dying seconds of stoppage-time: first, Leão’s left-footed shot deflected onto the bar with Krunić following up, but his attempt crashed off two defenders and ended up behind.

After five minutes of the restart, the first chance of the half fell to Origi, but his right-foot drive was gathered at the second time of asking by Drągowski. The was a scare for AC Milan after 57 minutes when Ekdal headed just wide of the post from a good position. But two minutes later, Spezia equalised through none other than Daniel Maldini, who struck a wonderful curling shot into the far post to give Tătăruşanu no chance. After 65 minutes, Tonali thought he had put the Rossoneri back ahead, but the goal was chalked off by VAR for a foul at the start of the move by Tomori on Nzola. The game became a tense affair with both sides tired and struggling to make any chances worthy of note. Coach Pioli tried to shuffle his pack around by bringing on De Ketelaere, Giroud and Rebić, but five minutes from the end it was Verde who came close with a right-footed attempt, but Tătăruşanu was up to the challenge. The Rossoneri’s pressing in the final stages finally paid dividends one minute before stoppage time, as Giroud volleyed home Tonali’s cross from the right. The Frenchman celebrated the goal by taking off his shirt, resulting in him being given a second yellow card. Down to ten men in time added in, the edginess could be felt but Spezia failed to make any significant chances and AC Milan held on for a 2-1 win.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 2-1 SPEZIA

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Tătăruşanu; Kalulu, Gabbia, Tomori, Hernández; Bennacer (46' Tonali), Krunić; Messias (72' Rebić), Díaz (72' De Ketelaere), Leão (91' Thiaw); Origi (72' Giroud). Subs: Jungdal, Mirante; Ballo-Touré, Kjær; Adli, Bakayoko, Pobega, Vranckx. Coach: Pioli.

SPEZIA (3-5-2): Drągowski; Ampadu, Caldara, Kiwior; Holm, Bourabia (69' Ellertsson), Ekdal (91' Strelec), Agudelo (68' Hristov), Amian (54' Reca); Maldini (68' Verde), Nzola. Subs: Zoet, Zovko; Ferrer; Beck, Nguiamba, Sala, Sher; Sanca. Coach: Gotti.

Referee: Michael Fabbri from Ravenna.
Goals: 21' Hernández (M), 59' Maldini (S).
Booked: 40' Bennacer (M), 63' Messias (M), 74' Ampadu (S), 80' Ellertsson (S), 83' Nzola (S), 83' Hernández (M), 83' Giroud (M), 88' Caldara (S).
Sent-off: 90' Giroud (M).

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