MESSIAS MAGIC IN MONZA

AC Milan reigned supreme in Monza and recorded another hugely important 1-0 win. The Rossoneri looked solid and compact at the Brianteo against an in-form side, who went into the game unbeaten in Serie A in 2023. In a game brimming with individual battles, an instinctive finish from Junior Messias mid-way through the first half sealed all three points for the Rossoneri, who controlled the game well after the break. This win is vital as the Rossoneri go in search of a good run of form, having got back to winning ways over the past week. Milan now move to 44 points and today recorded their third consecutive clean sheet in all competitions.

Tomori, Messias and Origi were the changes to Stefano Pioli's starting line-up as the boss rotated the side after the outings against Torino and Tottenham. The English centre-back, who has returned from the knock he picked at the end of January, put in a brilliant performance and shut down Monza's frontmen. Rafa Leão was unlucky not to score today as he came close on numerous occasions, even hitting the post in the first half. The aim for the Rossoneri is to string a few good results together and it's a big test up next as AC Milan host Atalanta in the late kick-off at San Siro on Sunday 26 February.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM MONZA v AC MILAN

MATCH REPORT
The home side were dangerous from the off, and Tătărușanu had to be alert to keep out efforts from Ciurria and Petagna inside the first minute. AC Milan responded with a speedy Leão putting in a cross-come-shot that Di Gregorio needed to put behind for a corner after four minutes. It was Rafa again who frightened the Biancorossi just shy of the 20th minute with a beautiful curling right-footed strike from outside the box that clipped the outside of the post. The Rossoneri piled the pressure on but found Di Gregorio in fine form, who halfway through the first half made a double save in quick succession from Leão and Díaz following up. Four minutes later, he saved Tomori’s violent left-footed attempt, after Theo’s ball through. But just after the half-hour mark, the away side took a deserved lead: Pessina blocked Kalulu’s cross in, but the ball fell to Messias who pounced quickest and fired home accurately with his left to make it 1-0. After the goal, the game’s intensity dropped and no further chances of note came; AC Milan led at the break.

The Rossoneri started the second half strongly, but the first chance fell to Monza: Mota Carvalho intercepted a misplaced pass and laid it off for Petagna, but his shot was blocked by Tătărușanu after 53 minutes. Four minutes later, AC Milan came ever so close to doubling the lead: Brahim initiated a counter-attack, before Leão set a supporting Theo Hernández through, who bore down on goal, but his chip over over the onrushing keeper went just wide. Substitutions followed to give both teams a lift, as they searched for further goals. After 68 minutes, Krunić slid through Leão, but his left-footed strike was again put behind by Di Gregorio for a corner. Monza nearly equalised on 73 minutes: Ciurria cut inside and unleashed a left-foot effort that hit the post and bounced back hitting the back of a diving Tătărușanu, before ending up behind the goalline for a corner. The Rossoneri nearly sealed the contest in the 84th minute when Tonali’s shot was well-saved once again by Di Gregorio, with Saelemaekers and De Ketelaere unable to put the rebounds in. But AC Milan were to hold on and closed the game out comfortably; it ended 1-0.

MATCH DETAILS

MONZA 0-1 AC MILAN

MONZA (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Marlon (70' Gytkjær), Marí, Izzo; Birindelli (59' Carboni), Rovella (70' Sensi), Pessina, Ciurria; Mota Carvalho (84' Valoti), Caprari; Petagna (59' Machín). Subs: Cragno, Sorrentino; Antov, Caldirola, Donati; Barberis, Colpani, Ranocchia; D'Alessandro. Coach: Palladino.

AC MILAN (3-4-3): Tătărușanu; Kalulu, Thiaw, Tomori; Messias (64' Saelemaekers), Tonali, Krunić (83' Bakayoko), Hernández; Díaz (64' De Ketelaere), Origi (64' Giroud), Leão (79' Rebić). Subs: Mirante, Vásquez; Ballo-Touré, Dest, Gabbia, Kjær; Adli, Pobega, Vranckx; Ibrahimović. Coach: Pioli.

Referee: Rapuano from Rimini.
Goals: 31' Messias (M).
Booked: 27' Marlon (MZ), 34' Krunić (M), 54' Birindelli (MZ), 62' Rovella (MZ), 63' Machín (MZ), 69' Thiaw (M).

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