ROSSONERI BACK TO WINNING WAYS IN SERIE A
Serie A
The Rossoneri certainly had to dig in, but it’s three precious points in the bag. Against a tough Fiorentina side, Coach Pioli’s men returned to winning ways in the league thanks to a penalty from Theo Hernández at the end of the first half. It finished 1-0 at San Siro after a resilient rearguard display and some fine goalkeeping from Maignan. Theo’s second goal of the season put an end to a four-game winless streak in Serie A, a run that could have weighed heavily on the team this evening. However, despite several absences and being up against difficult opponents, the group responded with character. At times, the Rossoneri also played some good football, especially towards the end of the first half, and they got their reward with a much-needed goal on the stroke of half-time.
Among the positives from the evening were starts for Calabria and Pulisic, with Loftus-Cheek also coming on as a substitute. Despite the fact it wasn’t the most scintillating of performances, there were undoubtedly some encouraging signs ahead Tuesday’s clash against Borussia Dortmund. The team are alive and kicking both mentally and physically, and the warm embrace of San Siro will have instilled further confidence in the group. Furthermore, history was made this evening: in replacing Jović during the closing stages, Francesco Camarda, at the age of 15 years and 260 days, became the youngest debutant in Serie A history. For him, tonight will remain unforgettable. Now, it’s time to turn our attentions to the Champions League. A huge showdown awaits.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN 1-0 FIORENTINA
MATCH REPORT
The Rossoneri lined up without both Giroud and Leão for the first time since December 2021, with the front line led by former Fiorentina player Luka Jović, alongside Pulisic and Chukwueze. Both sides offered very little in the opening 20 minutes, but it was Pulisic who lifted the San Siro crowd off their seats on 23’ with a sweetly-struck shot from the edge of the box that was superbly pushed over by Terracciano. AC Milan finally got into gear and on the half-hour mark Tijj slipped Calabria through, who opted to shoot rather than cross, and his effort was saved at the near post by the Viola shot-stopper. Fiorentina went close after 40 minutes with González’s effort flying just wide, but the final stages of the half were all ours. On 44', Terracciano again made a great save, keeping out Pobega’s header, before Jović played in Theo, who was brought down by Parisi and a penalty was given. From the spot, Hernández made no mistake to give the Rossoneri the lead.
Four minutes after the restart, Theo’s inch-perfect cross found Chukwueze, whose header forced the visiting keeper into another good save. At the other end, Maignan’s excellent timing stopped Beltrán go round him and through on goal. The game opened up with both sides going all out attack, but neither team were able to capitalise on the spaces provided. Fiorentina continued to push forward, with Nico’s left-footed attempt going wide and Biraghi’s free-kick blocked by the wall. It was the visitors' number 10 again who created more worry in the 62nd minute when his cross was deflected, ending up just skimming the post and falling the right side of the post for the Rossoneri. On 75’, the home side had huge chance to double their lead through Jović, but he shot straight at Terracciano. The side from Tuscany were still well in the contest and came close to equalising in the 90th minute through Lopez’s turn and shot that went inches wide. Deep into stoppage-time, Maignan threw himself in front of Mandragora on the goalline to make a crucial save and defend the result. The full-time whistle blew: 1-0 to AC Milan!
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 1-0 FIORENTINA
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Maignan; Calabria (92' Florenzi), Thiaw, Tomori, Hernández; Musah (84' Krunić), Reijnders, Pobega; Chukwueze, Jović (83' Camarda), Pulisic (61' Loftus-Cheek). Subs.: Mirante, Nava; Bartesaghi, Simić; Adli, Romero; Traorè. Coach: Pioli.
FIORENTINA (4-2-3-1): Terracciano; Parisi, Martínez Quarta, Milenković, Biraghi; Arthur (46' Lopez), Duncan (81' Mandragora); González, Bonaventura (88' Kouamé), Sottil (81' Ikonè); Beltrán (70' Nzola). Subs.: Christensen, Martinelli; Comuzzo, Mina, Pierozzi; Amatucci, Barák, Infantino; Brekalo. Coach: Italiano.
Referee: Di Bello from Brindisi.
Goal: 45+2' pen. Hernández (M).
Booked: 12' Arthur (F), 56' Tomori (M), 77' Pioli (M).
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