Another solitary goal gives Milan a third win in a row

Three consecutive 1-0 wins, against Torino, Chelsea in the Champions League and now in their visit to Monza, have lifted Milan from the serious crisis in which it has fallen since the beginning of 2023. Three points which temporarily puts it in third place in Serie A waiting for Inter, Atalanta and Roma, their rivals in the battle for the Champions League positions, to play their matches on the 23rd.

It was a special match at the U-Power Stadium for Silvio Berlusconi, now the owner of Monza after becoming the owner of Milan, which he made European and world champions. If in the first round there was a 4-1 victory in the San Siro, now the recently promoted to Serie A, located in a reliable and deserved tenth place, also could not beat his giant neighbor and accepted the his first loss since November 11.

Pioli keeps the central three

Stefano Pioli, coach of Milan, kept the line of three central defenders that have been giving him good results in recent days and brought Divock Origi into the starting eleven to give Olivier Giroud some rest.

Monza, who beat Juventus (2-0) in their previous home game, started by showing signs that they could repeat a victory against another historic ‘calcio’ and in the first two minutes of the game they forced to show goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu. off a shot from Patrick Ciurria and a header from Andrea Petagna.

But Milan reacted well and continued to dominate the game knowing that only by playing with intensity and concentration could they stop Monza.

Leao, in the post before Junior Messias scored

Rafael Leao is the leading attacker for Milan and he has some clear chances. The first with a shot that hit the post (18′) and the second with an attempt from low that was taken by Michele Di Gregorio. The ball fell to the feet of Brahim Díaz, who was unable to shoot as the local goalkeeper covered him and finally won the one-on-one (24′).

It wasn’t Leao who scored but Junior Messias, who chased the rebound and made a good shot on the turn in the box (30′). A very serious but not brilliant Milan did not react in the first half but in the second half Monza showed that they did not give up and pushed on.

Part two with alternatives

In the 50th minute, Petagna had an option to surprise Tatarusanu but he got a loose and focused shot blocked by the Romanian. Milan didn’t have much fun in attack until the last half hour of give and take where they couldn’t sentence.

Theo Hernández, tireless in his attacks down the left, made it 0-2 with a counter but his attempt to spike Di Gregorio went wide (57′). Leao was gone and before being replaced he showed his class again with a move from the wing that ended with a shot that Di Gregorio responded with a save (67′).

Milan failed to close the game and were exposed to fear, as they experienced when Ciurria connected with a beautiful shot (72′). The goal hung on both goals and the ‘rossoneri’ had a very clear double chance. Di Gregorio slapped Sandro Tonali and a providential defender prevented Charles De Ketelaere, who had replaced Brahim Díaz, from scoring a seemingly sung goal (84′).

In the end, Milan took all three points against a Monza team that sold its defeat dearly and held out until the last moment for the tie.

MONZA

01

MILAN

Monza: DiGregorio; Marlon (Gytkjaer, 71′), Pablo Marí, Izzo; Birindelli (Pepín, 59′), Rovella (Sensi, 70′), Pessina, Ciurria; Caprari, Mota (Valoti, 83′); Petagna (Carboni, 59′)

Milan: Tatarusanu; Kalulu, Tomori, Malick Thiaw; Junior Messias (De Ketelaere, 64′), Krunic (Bakayoko, 83′), Tonali, Theo Hernández; Brahim Díaz (Saelemaekers, 64′), Rafael Leão (Rebic, 79′); Origi (Giroud, 64′).

Goal: 0-1 Junior Messias (31′)

Referee: Antonio Rapuano. Yellow cards to Marlon (27′), Krunic (34′), Birindelli (54′), Rovella (62′), Pepín (63′), Malick Thiaw (69′)

Attendance: 14,012 at U-Power Stadium

see the match sheet