Milan picked up where they left off before the international break, claiming an enthralling 2-1 win at Fiorentina on Saturday night. Rossoneri enjoyed another phenomenal game on the road to temporarily close the gap on Serie A leaders Inter to 11 points.
Fiorentina goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano ran the show in the first half, making six saves to keep Milan at bay. However, Stefano Pioli’s side created numerous clear-cut opportunities before halftime, and it was only a matter of time before they’d find the net.
It took Milan less than two minutes into the second half to break the deadlock. Rafael Leao picked out Ruben Loftus-Cheek with surgical precision. The Englishman had little left to do as he stabbed home from close range to give the visitors a well-deserved lead.
Milan’s celebrations were short-lived. Vincenzo Italiano’s men replied moments later through Alfred Duncan, who beat Mike Maignan with a thunderous finish into the bottom corner. But it wasn’t the end of an incredible start to the second half.
Leao turned on the engines after receiving the ball on the halfway line, breezing past his markers and sidestepping Terracciano before slotting the ball into an empty net. Little did anyone know it would be the last goal of the match.
It’s time to look at our player ratings.
Milan (4-2-3-1)
Mike Maignan – 7
Pulled off a fantastic save to deny Andrea Belotti in the first half and came up huge a 2-1 to fingertip Rolando Mandaragora’s effort out of play.
Davide Calabria – 6.5
Despite another dismal attacking showing, the Milan captain held up his end of the bargain at the back, fending off Christian Kouame almost effortlessly. But it wasn’t as straightforward against Nicolas Gonzalez.
Malick Thiaw – 5.5
Picked up an early booking for an overzealous challenge in a dangerous area and often struggled for conviction. Unsurprisingly subbed off at halftime.
Fikayo Tomori – 6.5
Like his center-back colleague, he had several shaky moments, especially in the first half when Belotti slipped his mark to go one-on-one with Maignan, but he got away unpunished.
Alessandro Florenzi – 6
It’s better if someone else assumes set-piece duties. Describing the veteran’s crosses tonight as wayward would be an understatement. He made Theo Hernandez’s absence heavily felt.
Tijjani Reijnders – 7
One of the most enjoyable players to watch this evening. His clever thinking and tricky feet came to the fore on multiple occasions. Pioli can be thrilled about the Dutchman’s on-field understanding with Leao.
Ismael Bennacer – 6.5
Nearly gifted Fiorentina an opener in the first half after giving the ball away on the edge of the box was lucky, but his error didn’t cost Milan that time. Not one of his best performances!
Rafael Leao – 7.5
Another mesmerizing night for the superstar winger! Dodo had a nightmare against one of Serie A’s most skilled players, whose burst of pace was too hot to handle for the Brazilian.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 7.5
‘Better call Ruben’ could be a decent phrase for the next banner at San Siro. When his forwards had no answer to Terracciano’s superb night in goal, the Englishman stepped up to break the deadlock.
Samuel Chukwueze – 7
It was a shame Terracciano thwarted his close-range header in the first half. It would’ve been a fitting reward for the Nigerian’s impressive display in his rare Serie A start.
Olivier Giroud – 6
It’s hard to remember the last time the aging marksman missed as many opportunities as tonight, especially in the first half. His wasted opportunity on the stroke of halftime would’ve been a goal on any other day.
Substitutes
Matteo Gabbia – 6.5
Noah Okafor – 5.5
Yunus Musah – 6.5
Christian Pulisic – 6
Luka Jovic – 5.5
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