COMEBACK WIN AT SAN SIRO
Serie A
Plenty of heart, grit and determination, despite the absences. The Rossoneri got back to league action by coming from behind to beat Fiorentina by two goals to one. AC Milan go top after seven games played, one point ahead of Inter, Napoli and Roma. Rafa Leão had a huge hand in the win, scoring both of the Milan goals in what was his first Serie A start of the season. The Portuguese player bagged a brace to overturn Gosens’ opener for the guests. The first was a stunner from long range, and the second came from the penalty spot.
In spite of the long list of unavailabilities, Allegri’s side gave it their all and barely let the guests have a kick in the first half. In the second, they dug deep and found the strength to turn it around after the Viola scored from an unlucky bounce in the Rossoneri’s six-yard box. There was rapturous applause for an AC Milan side, who are now unbeaten in seven games. Youngsters Athekame and Bartesaghi were very solid, the former on his first start and the latter following a good display in Turin. League action continues next Friday night when we take on Alberto Gilardino’s Pisa.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v FIORENTINA
MATCH REPORT
With the unusual Saelemaekers-Leão strike partnership due to several absences, the Rossoneri looked to get on the front foot from the get-go. The first chance came in the fifth minute when Tomori failed to keep the ball down from a free-kick. Another opportunity, again from a free-kick, arrived in the 20th minute: after a scramble in the box, the ball fell to Pavlović, who volleyed over with his right foot. AC Milan kept pressing: in the 34th minute, Modrić spread play for Athekame, who delivered a cross from the right that Leão just couldn’t quite reach with his head. One last opportunity before half-time saw Saelemaekers fire off target after cutting inside.
The second half started at a slow pace. In the 53rd minute, the visitors had their first attempt as a long-range strike from Nicolussi Caviglia went wide. Fiorentina broke the deadlock two minutes later through Gosens, who was left with an easy finish after Maignan had diverted the ball onto Gabbia’s stomach. Despite going behind, AC Milan continued to dominate possession, probing for openings in the opposition defence. Their persistence paid off in the 63rd minute: Leão did it all by himself, unleashing a venomous strike that flew past de Gea from distance. The Fiorentina goalkeeper then did well to keep out a Fofana header in the 71st minute and thwart Gimenez five minutes after that. With the clock ticking down, Parisi fouled Gimenez in the box, and AC Milan were awarded a penalty. Leão kept his composure from the spot, sending de Gea the wrong way to deservedly put the Rossoneri in front (86’). In stoppage time, Fofana could have added a third and, at the other end, the AC Milan defence held firm, ensuring Allegri’s men came away with an important win.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 2-1 FIORENTINA
AC MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlović; Athekame (57' Gimenez), Fofana, Modrić, Ricci, Bartesaghi; Saelemaekers (90' De Winter), Leão (90'+2 Balentien). Subs: Pittarella, Terracciano; Odogu; Sala. Coach: Allegri.
FIORENTINA (3-5-2): De Gea; Pongračić, Pablo Marí, Ranieri; Dodô, Mandragora (87' Džeko), Nicolussi Caviglia (88' Sohm), Fagioli, Gosens (69' Parisi); Fazzini (69' Guðmundsson), Kean (77' Piccoli). Subs: Lezzerini, Martinelli; Comuzzo, Kuoadio, Viti; Fortini, Ndour; Sabiri. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Marinelli from Tivoli.
Goals: 55' Gosens (F), 63' and 86' pen. Leão (M).
Booked: 50' Athekame (M), 54' Nicolussi Caviglia (F), 60' Fofana (M), 74' Tomori (M), 85' Parisi (F), 88' Ranieri (F).
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