THREE POINTS IN CREMONA
Serie A
At the Zini, Massimiliano Allegri's AC Milan, beat Cremonese 2-0 and bounced back after the defeat against Parma, which had ended a run of 24 games unbeaten. It was a match full of chances: to be honest, the hosts got off to a better start, but towards the end of the first half the Rossoneri wasted two huge opportunities with Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic, both set up by an inspired Youssouf Fofana in a playmaker role. Despite piling on the pressure, the breakthrough only came in the final minutes: Strahinja Pavlović opened the scoring in a scramble from a corner right on the brink of the 90th minute, and then the attacking trio introduced by Allegri sealed the win, with Leão scoring from an assist by Christopher Nkunku, who had been played through by Niclas Füllkrug.
A lively and hard-fought match, decided with the right perseverance and decisive substitutions. A good performance from Strahinja Pavlović, solid at the back and decisive with the goal that unlocked the game. The first half from Fofana was also positive, as he managed to create superiority by playing between the lines behind an overly bold Thibault Vandeputte. And then Rafael Leão, who returned to scoring and making an impact, especially when playing as a winger in the attacking trio, although more precision is needed to make the most of the chances that come his way. Three crucial points to remain second on 57 points and approach the Derby against league leaders Inter with momentum. Final note: not all positive streaks have ended - away from home, the team is now unbeaten in 13 consecutive matches.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM CREMONESE v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
It was a fast and lively start at the Zini, with Cremonese pressing through Bonazzoli and Vandeputte. In the sixth minute, Vardy had a go from inside the box but was twice denied by decisive interventions from Rabiot. AC Milan responded as Leão was narrowly beaten to the ball in the box (10') and Saelemaekers flashed a shot just wide of the post (20'). The hosts threatened as well, going close to taking the lead through Bonazzoli and then Vardy. In the 34th minute, Fofana played in Leão, who fired wide with just Audero to beat. Just before the interval, the Cremonese goalkeeper pulled off two excellent saves to deny Pulisic and then Fofana. On the stroke of half-time, Rabiot headed over from a corner. The first half ended goalless.
The second half began with AC Milan on the front foot, creating numerous chances. On the hour mark, Rabiot squared the ball for Leão, who, under pressure from Audero, fired over with the goal at his mercy. Vandeputte shot over for the hosts, before Leão had two more attempts, both kept out by Audero. In the 80th minute, the home side threatened again, but Maignan dealt comfortably with Luperto's effort. AC Milan finally broke through late on: in the 89th minute, Modrić delivered a corner, De Winter got a touch, and Pavlović forced it home. The Rossoneri put the game to bed deep into stoppage time: a perfect counter-attack saw Füllkrug release Nkunku in behind the defence; one-on-one with the keeper, the French attacker squared it for Leão to tap into an empty net and seal a 2-0 victory.
MATCH DETAILS
CREMONESE 0-2 AC MILAN
CREMONESE (3-5-2): Audero; Bianchetti (66' F. Terracciano), Luperto, Folino; Zerbin (66' Barbieri), Thorsby, Vandeputte (82' Grassi), Maleh, Pezzella; Vardy (66' Djurić), Bonazzoli. A disp.: Nava, Silvestri; Ceccherini, Faye, Floriani; Bondo, Payero; Sanabria. All.: Nicola
AC MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori (78' Athekame), De Winter, Pavlović; Saelemaekers (62' Füllkrug), Fofana (62' Ricci), Modrić, Rabiot, Bartesaghi (89' Estupiñan); Leão, Pulisic (78' Nkunku). A dips.: Pittarella, P. Terracciano; Odogu; Jashari. All.: Allegri
Refree: Massa from Imperia.
Goals: 89' Pavlović (M), 94' Leão (M).
Booked: 76' F. Terracciano (C), 85' Maleh (C).
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