AC Milan extended their winning run to six matches with a 2-1 victory over Fiorentina on an emotional night at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
2023/2024 Serie A
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Match Events
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3' Highlight from Fiorentina vs Milan
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47' GOAL! Fiorentina 0-1 Milan (Ruben Loftus-Cheek)
50' GOAL! Fiorentina 1-1 Milan (Alfred Duncan)
53' GOAL! Fiorentina 1-2 Milan (Rafael Leão)
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Match Report
There had been tributes before kick-off to Fiorentina general manager Joe Barone, who collapsed in the team hotel just as they were preparing to travel to the stadium for the match against Atalanta and later died in hospital.
The Rossoneri produced a clinical display with second-half goals from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Rafael Leao either side of Alfred Duncan’s equaliser to consolidate second place in the Serie A table.
#FiorentinaMilan pic.twitter.com/9K7kNoaLLC
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) March 30, 2024
Following a minute’s silence, AC Milan, without the suspended Theo Hernandez, made a positive start as Olivier Giroud forced Fiorentina keeper Pietro Terracciano into an early save after a driving run from Samuel Chukwueze.
Fiorentina – returning to action for the first time since their Europa Conference League tie against Maccabi Haifa on March 14 – continued to be pressed into some deep defending, with Rossoneri winger Leao a constant threat down the left.
Leao floated a cross over to the back post, where Chukwueze’s downward header was palmed away by Terracciano.
AC Milan’s Olivier Giroud (centre)
La Viola finally created an opening in the 26th minute when Andrea Belotti was played into the Milan penalty area but Mike Maignan stood up to make a smart save.
After Leao’s angled effort was stopped by Terracciano at the near post, Fiorentina again broke quickly with Belotti flashing a ball across the Milan six-yard box.
Terracciano saved from Leao after the forward spun in the right side of the area before Giroud blazed over as Milan pressed for the breakthrough ahead of half-time.
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An in-form Pietro Terracciano has kept Milan from getting on the scoresheet. 0-0 after 45'. #FiorentinaMilan pic.twitter.com/W6IK8FQznV
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) March 30, 2024
Milan took the lead two minutes into the second half.
Chukwueze sent Leao clear down the right and his improved backheel went across the six-yard box. Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic slipped over, which allowed the ball to fall to Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who dug it out from under his feet to stab home a 10th goal of the season.
Fiorentina, though, were soon back on level terms in the 50th minute when Duncan clipped a fine finish into the far corner from the edge of the Milan penalty area.
In a hectic spell, Milan regained the lead in the 53rd minute when Tijjani Reijnders’ through pass saw Leao race clear past Milenkovic before calmly taking the ball around the onrushing Terracciano and knocking it into an empty net.
Three more points #FiorentinaMilan #SempreMilanBrought to you by @play_eFootball pic.twitter.com/bYlDplX4gq
— AC Milan (@acmilan) March 30, 2024
Milan full-back Alessandro Florenzi went close to a third when his fierce drive from the edge of the area was palmed clear by Terracciano at full stretch.
Rossoneri keeper Maignan was then called into action again to acrobatically push over a rising effort from Belotti and then tipped away a half-volley from Rolando Mandragora.
With 15 minutes left, Milan substitute Christian Pulisic saw his goal on the break disallowed for offside as Stefano Pioli’s side closed out a sixth straight win in all competitions.
Line-ups
Fiorentina XI: Pietro Terracciano, Biraghi, A.Duncan, Belotti, Mandragora, Ikone, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Kouame, Dodô, Milenkovic, Lucas Beltrán
Subs: Faraoni, Arthur, Barak, Lopez, M'Bala Nzola, Castrovilli, N. Gonzalez, L. Ranieri, Sottil, Fabiano Parisi, Gino Infantino, Michael Kayode, Tommaso Martinelli, Pietro Comuzzo, Tommaso Vannucchi
Milan XI: Giroud, Florenzi, Maignan, Loftus-Cheek, Calabria, Tomori, Bennacer, Samuel Chukwueze, Tijjani Reijnders, Leao, Malick Thiaw
Subs: Sportiello, Jovic, Pulisic, Gabbia, Yacine Adli, Noah Okafor, Yunus Musah, Filippo Terracciano, Jan-Carlo Simic, Lapo Nava, Davide Bartesaghi, Kevin Zeroli