AC Milan got back to winning ways in Serie A as the Rossoneri edged out Bologna 2-0 at the San Siro to move to the top of the league table.
Going into the game, Stefano Pioli’s side had not tasted defeat to Bologna since 2016, and they were the side that opened the scoring in the 21st minute.
Rafael Leao latched onto Charles De Ketelaere’s through ball to finish well from inside the box with his right foot beyond Bologna goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski to score his first goal of the season.
The Rossoneri doubled their advantage thirteen minutes into the second half, as Leao turned into the provider. The winger chipped a ball into the box, which Olivier Giroud met on the stretch to volley home.
Bologna’s best chance came from a set-piece routine midway through the second half, as substitute Nicola Sansone saw his shot from distance rattle the near post.
Stefano Pioli’s side comfortably saw the remainder of the game out to continue their unbeaten start to the new season.
TALKING POINT – MILAN SEAL A COMFORTABLE WIN
For the most part, it was a trouble free evening for Milan. The Rossoneri did well to press the opposition, and forced them into giving the ball away whilst playing it out from the back. This also happened in midfield, which lead to quick transitions for Milan with significant overloads in the final third. Milan had nineteen attempts on goal compared to Bologna’s eight. However, the home side limited Bologna to having most of their shots from outside the area.
Milan remain unbeaten, and next face Sassuolo on Tuesday at the Citta del Tricolore – the same venue which they sealed last season’s Scudetto in front of 18,000 of their own fans. After that is the big one – the Derby del Madonnina against arch rivals Inter next Saturday.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – RAFAEL LEAO
Milan’s Portuguese rising star looked back to his best for the Rossoneri tonight after two opening games where he did not look at 100%. The 23-year-old was directly involved in both goals, scoring the opener and assisting Olivier Giroud for the second of the game.
In total, Leao had a pass completion rate of 92%, made three key passes, had two shots on target and won his only offensive aerial duel of the game.
PLAYER RATINGS
AC Milan: Maignan 6, Calabria 6, Kalulu 7, Tomori , Hernandez 7, Tonali 7, Bennacer 7, Messias 6, De Ketelaere 8, Leao 8, Giroud 7. Subs: Ballo-Toure 6, Gabbia 6, Pobega 6, Adli 6, Saelemaekers 6.
Bologna: Skorupski 8, Lucumi 6, Medel 6, Soumaoro 6, Cambiaso 6, Dominguez 6, Schouten 6, Vignato 6, Kasius 6, Arnautovic 6, Barrow 6. Subs: Ferguson 6, Aebischer 6, Sansone 6, Soriano 6, Bonifazi 6.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
21’ – GOAL! (Rafael Leao) – It’s that man Rafael Leao! The winger calmly slots home after a quick break away! De Ketelaere wins the ball back in midfield from Schouten and instantly drives forward with the ball. He tees up Leao to his left, who has underlapped to come more central, and the Portuguese attacker makes no mistake with his right foot from close range.
27’ – SAVE! – Skorupski makes another key stop! Leao races up the pitch, and tees up Messias on the right, as the winger advances in on goal. He shoots from a slight angle towards the near post, but Skorupski parries the ball away before Leao misses the rebound – he puts it over the bar!
58’ – GOAL! (Olivier Giroud) – Giroud atones for his miss just seconds earlier! Leao plays a clipped ball into the area from the left-hand side, and Giroud does brilliantly to hit it on the stretch and the forward volleys it in beyond Skorupski!
67’ – OFF THE POST! – What a chance for Bologna! After a short delay due to some pushing and shoving in the area before the free-kick, the set-piece is taken short for Sansone. He takes a couple of touches before going for goal from 25-yards out, and his strike smacks the near post and comes back out!
84’ – GOOD REACTION SAVE – Leao’s chipped cross from the right goal-side touchline towards the back post is met by Tonali, but Skorupski stands tall by his near post to make a point-blank save with his feet to deny Milan their third.
