Milan caught another last-minute win on Sunday night as they beat Fiorentina 2-1 to maintain their gap from table leader Napoli unchanged at eight points. The Rossoneri were helped by a late defensive blunder on the Viola part that resulted in Nikola Milenkovic’s own goal.
However, Vincenzo Italiano’s side did give Milan a run for their money as Antonin Barak cancelled Rafael Leao’s lightning-fast lead and the visitors were in control for long stretches of the game. It was a loss that didn’t change the Viola‘s promising outlook even though their winning streak ended after five games.
Milan can be happy with making a full score at the last minute, but after their mid-week goalless draw in Cremona, their lackluster performance today confirmed that some cracks are starting to appear in coach Stefano Pioli’s machine.
Still, the game had started well for the Rossoneri, who found themselves in the driving seat with less than two minutes on the clock. Olivier Giroud served Leao on the counter and the Portuguese concluded a thundering progression with a clinical shot that left no chance to Pietro Terracciano.
It looked like a day in the office for Milan, but Fiorentina’s reaction was vehement and earned them an equalizer on 28 minutes. A chaotic action in the Rossoneri‘s box ended with an Antonin Barak conclusion that found Malick Thiaw’s deflection into his own net.
Milan felt the hit and Fiorentina continued to be in control, even though Ciprian Tatarusanu didn’t suffer any more serious threats. However, the Rossoneri took quite a scare for a contact in their area between Fikayo Tomori and Jonathan Ikoné that the VAR ultimately ruled as a non-penalty.
Leao squandered a gigantic chance to make it 2-1, then Tomori pushed back an Ikoné shot right on the goal line, saving the Rossoneri.
When a tie seemed the only logical (and perhaps fair) outcome, Milan drew their trump card as an Aster Vrancx cross was missed by Terracciano and the ball bounced on Milenkovic and then into the back of the net.
The Viola were furious as they protested over an alleged foul from Ante Rebic on Terracciano, as well as a previous contact between the same Rebic and Duncan in the build-up, but referee Simone Sozza did not want to hear about it.
MATCH SCORECARD
November 13, 2022 – Serie A 2022-2023 Round 15
MILAN – FIORENTINA 2-1
SCORERS: 1′ Rafael Leao (M), 28′ Barak (F), 92′ Milenkovic (F, o.g.)
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MILAN (4-2-3-1): Tătărușanu; Kalulu, Thiaw (59′ Dest), Tomori, Hernández; Tonali (85′ Rebic), Bennacer; Brahim Díaz (59′ Origi), Krunić (75′ Vranckx), Rafael Leão; Giroud (Mirante, Jungdal, Ballo-Touré, Gabbia, Kjaer, Bakayoko, Pobega, Adli, De Ketelaere) Coach: Pioli |
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FIORENTINA (3-5-2): Terracciano; Dodô (18′ Venuti), Milenković, Igor, Biraghi; Amrabat, Mandragora (66′ Duncan), Barak (75′ Terzic); Ikoné, Cabral (66′ Jovic); Saponara (75′ Kouamé) (Gollini, Cerofolini, Martinez Quarta, Ranieri, Bianco, Duncan, Maleh) Coach: Italiano |
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Brahim Diaz (M), Barak, Saponara, Mandragora, Jovic, Italiano (F); Added Time: 1st Half 3′, 2nd Half 4′
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