Milan saw off SPAL with little difficulty to reach the Coppa Italia quarter-finals as Krzysztof Piatek impressed in their 3-0 win.
Match Report
Krzysztof Piatek provided a reminder of his talent amid transfer rumours with a goal and an assist as Milan beat SPAL 3-0 to set up a Coppa Italia quarter-final against Torino.
Poland international Piatek has endured a difficult second season in San Siro, having scored just four times in Serie A, but on Wednesday the reported Tottenham target looked more like his old self.
Perhaps SPAL are not the most suitable team to use as a barometer of Piatek's abilities, as they never looked a threat, but the 24-year-old showed good composure to open the scoring, before then teeing up Samu Castillejo for his glorious effort to increase the lead.
Milan continued to dominate after the break and added a third goal just past the hour – Theo Hernandez drilling home in style, sealing a comfortable victory.
Match Events
2' Piatek's shot wide out
WIDE! Castillejo feeds Piatek on the charge down the right inside channel and the forward goes for the strike that he places just wide of the target.
7' CLOSE! Bennacer's long shot wide out
CLOSE! Bennacer latches on to a loose ball 30 yards from goal and he lets fly with a powerful left-footed strike that travels just wide of the right post with Berisha beaten. So close for the home side.
17' Castillejo misses a golden chance!
CHANCE! Rebic opens up the SPAL defence with a precise throughball for Castillejo, putting the forward one-on-one with Berisha. However, the keeper scampers off his line and wins the challenge with the Milan forward to quell the opening. A great piece of work from Berisha.
20' GOAL! Milan 1-0 SPAL (Piatek)
Goal! Piatek puts Milan ahead! 1-0! The home side convert their opening this time. Bennacer releases Piatek through on goal with a precise pass through the middle of the SPAL defence. Piatek holds his composure to slot his effort past the onrushing Berisha into the back of the net.
44' GOAL! Milan 2-0 SPAL (Castillejo)
Goal! Castillejo scores a stunner! 2-0! The Rossoneri extend their advantage just before the break courtesy of a fine strike from the forward. Piatek leads the home side forward on a counter before sliding a pass to Castillejo in the right inside channel. He cuts back to shoot on his left foot, and he curls his effort into the top-left corner with a sublime strike.
46' CLOSE! SPAL's keeper denies Piatek's effort
CHANCE! Piatek has a huge opening to notch a third as he latches on to a cutback from Rebic from the left flank following excellent work by the forward. However, the Pole strikes his effort straight at Berisha, who makes the stop.
52' AGAIN! Piatek's shot blocked
BLOCK! A sublime reverse pass from Rebic releases Piatek in the box, but the Pole takes one too many touches and cannot get a clear path to strike at goal as his eventual effort is blocked by Tomovic.
66' GOAL! Milan 3-0 SPAL (Theo)
Goal! Theo scores! 3-0! The Rossoneri are on their way to the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia as Hernandez provides a blistering strike to find the net. He latches on to a loose ball in the SPAL half following a misplaced pass from Murgia. He surges forward to the edge of the box and is afforded space and time to pick his spot, blasting an effort into the bottom-right corner.
90' SPAL's penalty cancelled after VAR check
VAR has been called to look at the decision again. The referee overturns his initial call, which is the right move from the official. There was no place that Paqueta could move his arm there. It was next to his body.
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