At U Power stadium Milan defeated Monza 1-0 to continue their winning streak.
Milan at least welcomes back Tomori today, and the Englishman replaces Kjaer in the back three, even though they are still without both Mike Maignan and Ismael Bennacer. Despite Giroud’s rare rest, recently returned player Ibrahimovic joins the French forward on the bench and starts as Origi’s replacement up front because he isn’t yet ready.
unwell wing-back Monza’s only starter who isn’t playing today is Carlos Augusto, as Birindelli takes Donati’s spot on the right and the versatile Ciurria switches to the left wing. Pessina, the captain of the home team, started in midfield alongside Rovella, a loanee from Juventus, despite never having appeared for Milan’s first team.
Ciurria took advantage of Milan’s sloppy opening, sneaking up beside Messias down the left side of the area and forcing Tatarusanu into a close-range save.
In the next minute Tatarusanu came to the rescue again! The temporary goalkeeper may have found it difficult to fill in for Maignan in recent weeks, but after Petagna’s diving header nearly sneaked in after a corner, he was once more sharply down to his near post to make a good save.
Di Gregorio saved Origi’s shot from the left side of the box comfortably in the centre of the goal in Milan’s first attempt.
Leao stepped inside the box at the 19th minute and curled a strong right-footer against the top of the crossbar with a wonderful inswinging shot from just outside the box but it was stopped by the goal post and turned out to be a goal kick.
After winning the ball in midfield, Messias spurred a quick attack from Milan. Leao received the ball and attempted to score with a forceful low drive, but Di Gregorio stopped him with a good reaction. When the ball rebounded, Diaz attempted to score, but the Monza goalkeeper was prepared to smother the ball at his feet once more.
At 31st minute nobody appeared to be able to gain control of the situation while the ball was bobbing around just inside Monza’s area. However, Messias took decisive action, as the Brazilian winger touched the ball to control it with his studs before pivoting and shooting a volley at goal. It found the bottom corner after getting deflected by Di Gregorio, and Milan took the lead.
As Monza was caught off guard by Messias’ ball over the top in the second half and Tonali came dangerously close to converting on Monza’s clumsy header, Rovella escaped punishment for his mistake inside his own area.
When Petagna received the pass from Mota on the outskirts of Milan’s box, he was unable to catch it cleanly and fired straight at Tatarusanu. That was a good opportunity that the striker missed.
When Birindelli and Hernandez collided in the penalty area, the referee decided that Birindelli had dived. A booking for simulation was given to him.
Around 30 yards from goal, Diaz and Leao quickly combined, giving Hernandez the opportunity to catch Di Gregorio off guard. His chipped attempt from the edge of the box, though, lacked accuracy and fell on the incorrect side of the post, rustling the netting as it travelled wide.
Hernandez’s typical surge into the opposing box was quickly stopped by Ciurria, and despite Milan’s captain’s claims of a penalty, the referee showed no sign of being interested.
With a low shot that struck the bottom of the right post, Ciurria not only rattled the woodwork, but Tatarusanu’s rebound caused the ball to bounce back and squeak just wide via the same upright.
Krunic was forced to give up a corner on the right side after Gytkjaer’s flick-on from the edge of the box as Monza took a more direct approach. The hosts, though, are unable to capitalise on it and inevitably lose the ball.
Sensi attempted a clipped throughball from about 30 yards out, but it was not only overhit but Gytkjaer was also off-kilter, so the ball harmlessly floated over the byline.
In the dying moment of game Di Gregorio was once again instrumental in preventing Milan from extending their lead. Giroud’s flick first fell at Rebic feet who tried to shoot in bottom right corner but it was saved by Di Gregorio. The rebound fell at Saelemaeker’s feet, who attempted to pass the ball towards De Ketelaere, Then, De Ketelaere had his attempt blocked by Defender.
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