Sandro Tonali scored a goal and set up another to guide AC Milan to a 2-1 victory at Salernitana on Wednesday as Serie A returned after a seven-week break for the World Cup and the festive season.
2022/2023 Serie A
1-2
Match Report
Rafael Leao and Tonali struck in the first half as second-placed Milan moved to 36 points, five behind league leaders Napoli who play away to Inter Milan later.
Forward Leao gave Milan a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute when he picked up a clever pass from midfielder Tonali and went around goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa for a brilliant finish.
Striker Olivier Giroud then sent his header wide but it did not prove to be a huge miss for the visitors as Tonali doubled their lead within five minutes with a long-range strike into the bottom corner after his first attempt was blocked.
Brahim Diaz, who twice came close in the first half, finally found the net around the hour-mark following a set piece but the goal was disallowed because he was offside.
Milan could have added more goals but they missed chances, including from Giroud.
Salernitana substitute Federico Bonazzoli got a consolation goal for the hosts in the 83rd minute after he connected with a cross at the back post and beat goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
6' MISS! Leao's shot denied by Ochoa
9' GOAL! Sportiva Salernitana 0-1 Milan (Leao)
14' GOAL! Sportiva Salernitana 0-2 Milan (Tonali)
31' MISS! Giroud's shot denied
32' AGAIN! Theo's shot denied by Ochoa
48' CLOSE! Giroud misses a golden chance
61' OFFSIDE! Brahim's goal disallowed
75' VAR confirms there is no red card for Domagoj Bradaric's foul
79' CLOSE! Sambia's shot inches wide
82' GOAL! Sportiva Salernitana 1-2 Milan (Bonazzoli)
82' Ochoa makes brilliant double-save
Line-ups
Sportiva Salernitana XI: G. Ochoa, Fazio, Radovanovic, Tonny Vilhena, Piatek, Sambia, Coulibaly, Emil Bohinen, Domagoj Bradaric, Boulaye Dia, Matteo Lovato
Subs: Vincenzo Fiorillo, Capezzi, Bonazzoli, Grigoris Kastanos, D. Bronn, Erik Botheim, Diego Valencia, Flavius Daniliuc, Pirola, Jacopo De Matteis, Andrei Motoc, Antonio Pio Iervolino
Milan XI: Tatarusanu, Giroud, Calabria, Tomori, Bennacer, Theo, Brahim, Tonali, Leao, Alexis Saelemaekers, Kalulu
Subs: Mirante, Bakayoko, Gabbia, Tommaso Pobega, Yacine Adli, Dest, Malick Thiaw, De Ketelaere, Aster Vranckx, Marko Lazetić, Andrea Bozzolan, Lapo Nava