AC MILAN SEAL 2-1 AWAY WIN OVER SAMPDORIA

After recent wins over Napoli and Fiorentina, AC Milan tonight picked up their third successive victory in Serie A after a hard-fought performance. Goals from Kessie and Castillejo made the difference at the Marassi, as the Rossoneri beat Sampdoria 2-1 to extend their lead at the top of the league table. Coming up against a well-drilled and determined Samp side, a tired Milan team missing several players broke the deadlock in the 45th minute through a penalty from Kessie. The visitors snatched a second after the interval through Castillejo, who scored just seconds after coming on as a substitute. Samp fought back and piled pressure on the Rossoneri defence, particularly in the latter stages; however, the away side remained resilient. Gabbia and Romagnoli both put in towering displays at the back, helping Milan leave Liguria will all three points. This leaves the Diavolo on 26 in the league standings, with the team now preparing for Thursday’s fixture against Sparta Prague in their last Europa League group game. As for the action in Serie A, the team will face off against Parma at San Siro next Sunday evening at 20:45 CET. 

Sampdoria started the match strongly on Sunday and enjoyed the first real chance in the eighth minute after a header from Tonelli forced an acrobatic save from Donnarumma. Milan responded after this early scare and nearly scored themselves four minutes later, with Ferrari getting in a last-ditch block to prevent a shot from Rebić. Another great chance fell to the away side in the 18th minute, with Brahim this time belatedly teeing up Rebić whose right-footed shot was easily saved by Audero. The Rossoneri threatened again in the 39th minute, with Rebic nearly rewarded for sheer persistence; however, Tonelli pulled off a goal-line clearance. It was then in the 44th minute that Milan were awarded a penalty kick after a handball decision against Jankto, with Kessie duly stepping up to make it 1-0. 

A second was nearly scored immediately after the interval, with Hauge picking out Tonali who slid a shot off the woodwork. The next real chance fell to Sampdoria in the 69th minute, although Thorsby’s header went over the crossbar. Milan finally scored their second in the 76th minute through Castillejo, who finished well following a low cross from Rebić just seconds after coming on off the bench. Meanwhile, the Croatian himself had a chance to score in the 79th minute, although his right-footed volley missed the target. Sampdoria got a goal back through Ekdal three minutes later, who surprised Donnarumma at the front post; however, it wasn’t enough. The Swede had another chance in the dying stages but Milan were able to hang on to the win. 

MATCH DETAILS

SAMPDORIA 1-2 AC MILAN

SAMPDORIA (4-4-2): Audero; Bereszyński (20' Colley), Ferrari, Tonelli, Augello (82' ; Léris); Candreva, Thorsby, Silva (46' Ekdal), Jankto (46' Damsgaard); Gabbiadini (57' La Gumina), Quagliarella. Subs: Letica, Ravaglia; Colley, Yoshida, Regini, Rocha; Askildsen, Verre; Ramírez. Coach: Ranieri.

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): G. Donnarumma; Calabria, Gabbia, Romagnoli, Theo Hernández; Tonali, Kessie; Saelemaekers (76' Castillejo), Díaz (46' Hauge), Çalhanoğlu (90' Krunić); Rebić. Subs.: A. Donnarumma, Tătăruşanu; Conti, Dalot, Duarte, Kalulu; Krunić, Mionić; Colombo, Maldini. Coach: Pioli.

Referee: Calvarese from Teramo
Goal: 45' pen. Kessie (M), 77' Castillejo (M), 82' Ekdal (S).
Booked: 5' Kessie (M), 25' Silva (S), 46' Jankto (S)

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