AC Milan maintained their lead at the top of the Serie A table by defeating Fiorentina 1-0 in their latest Serie A assignment.
AC Milan came into the encounter against Fiorentina with a two-point lead over arch-rivals Inter Milan and a chance to increase that to five with the Nerazzurri playing later in the day. The Rossoneri took a huge step towards the Serie A title, registering a 1-0 win to take a five-point lead, albeit temporarily.
Though AC Milan did not dominate the ball against Fiorentina, they tested the visitors’ defence consistently at San Siro, taking 13 shots on goal. They were eventually rewarded for their perseverance when Rafael Leao broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute to calm the nerves.
The league leaders managed to hold on to the lead and strengthened their hold on the league title with just three matches left to play in the season. Fiorentina, on the other hand, remained in the seventh spot but suffered their third consecutive defeat in the league and could drop down to eighth if Atalanta win their game in hand. Without further ado, here’s looking at how each AC Milan fared in the 1-0 win at San Siro.
Mike Maignan: 7/10
Mike Maignan made two crucial saves to keep Milan in the encounter. He was also quite composed on the ball and was heavily involved in Milan’s build-up plays with Fiorentina cutting out the home side’s midfield. Maignan completed seven of his 17 long balls and made one clearance as well to cap off a solid night.
Together, we can! ❤️?#MilanFiorentina #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/cK7pWCYQKq
— AC Milan (@acmilan) May 1, 2022
Davide Calabria: 7/10
The AC Milan captain bombed up and down the right flank, contributing on both ends of the pitch. While defensively he made an interception and seven tackles, going forward the right-back was as influential. He played two crosses and six long balls while also taking two shots on the Fiorentina goal. He could have been better with his passing as he completed just 71% of his passes.
Pierre Kalulu: 6/10
Kalulu did not have the best of outings but made sure that he did not make any glaring mistakes to give Fiorentina a look in. He stayed composed on the ball, completing 97% of his passes. He made two clearances and an interception and lost possession on just five occasions.
Fikayo Tomori: 7/10
The former Chelsea centre-back did well to ensure AC Milan kept their clean sheet and partnered well with Kalulu at the heart of the defence. He blocked two shots and made two interceptions and a tackle. He made a crucial clearance in the second half to keep Milan in the hunt for a win.
Theo Hernandez: 7/10
Theo Hernandez was his usual self, contributing heavily in the attack while ensuring that Fiorentina did not get in from his flank. He blocked one shot and made three clearances and five tackles. He won eight ground duels and played one key pass as well. He missed two big chances, however, which if converted, could have given the Rossoneri some cushion.
?️ The post-match reactions from the Coach and @fikayotomori_
?️ Le dichiarazioni di Mister Pioli e di Tomori dopo #MilanFiorentina#SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/snutcjymrP
— AC Milan (@acmilan) May 1, 2022
Sandro Tonali: 6/10
Sandro Tonali was not great with his passing, completing just 69% of his 66 attempted passes. But he was busy throughout, showing fighting spirit as Milan pushed for a goal. He created one big chance and also played two key passes. Three of his seven long balls found a teammate while he also sent in four crosses.
Franck Kessie: 6/10
Franck Kessie was not heavily involved in the game as Fiorentina did their best to cut off Milan’s midfield. He had just 53 touches of the ball throughout his 79-minute stay on the pitch. He faded as the match progressed and was taken off for Ismael Bennacer.
Junior Messias: 4/10
Messias had a really poor outing as he struggled to get involved in Milan’s build-up plays and attacks. He had just 22 touches of the ball and delivered no cross or took a shot before being taken off in the 56th minute.
Brahim Diaz: 5/10
Brahim Diaz, like Messias, could not make any sort of impact on the game, often struggling to get into the thick of things. He played one key pass and completed two dribbles, but there was not much else to show for it. He was taken off for Krunic in the 56th minute.
Rafael Leao: 7/10
⏱️ 82'
YESSSSSSS! Terracciano gives the ball away and @RafaeLeao7 takes full advantage! ??? #MilanFiorentina 1-0 #SempreMilan @EASPORTSFIFA pic.twitter.com/N4zQQik1Kj— AC Milan (@acmilan) May 1, 2022
Leao scored the all-important goal for AC Milan with a smart finish in the 82nd minute. But he was guilty of missing a gilt-edged opportunity, which could have given the Rossoneri some breathing space in the final few minutes of the match. He took a total of five shots in the match. Leao would want to improve on his overall performance from the next match as Milan try to close down the league race.
Olivier Giroud: 5/10
Olivier Giroud was also guilty of missing a glorious opportunity to send Milan ahead but spurned the chance. He played three key passes but did not do much otherwise before being taken off for Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the 67th minute as the Rossoneri searched for a breakthrough.
SUBSTITUTES
Rade Krunic: 5/10
Krunic came on for Brahim Diaz in the 56th minute but did not see much of the ball. He was involved in multiple duels as Fiorentina tried to break Milan’s momentum.
Ante Rebic: 6/10
Rebic was crucial in maintaining pressure on Fiorentina as Milan pushed for a goal. He won two ground duels and completed two dribbles in three attempts.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: 5/10
Zlatan came on for Giroud in the 67th minute but was not as involved as he would have hoped to be. He took one shot that went off target.
We kept pushing and got our reward: forza Milan! ❤️?
Il gol si è fatto aspettare, ma alla fine è arrivato: grandi ragazzi! ❤️?#MilanFiorentina #SempreMilan @Acqua_Lete pic.twitter.com/rYSJghW2sJ
— AC Milan (@acmilan) May 1, 2022
Ismael Bennacer: N/A
Bennacer came on in the 79th minute and had just eight touches of the ball.
