Monza 0-1 AC Milan: Messias guides Rossoneri to top four
Monza 0-1 AC Milan: Messias guides Rossoneri to top four with his long-range volley as the Brazilian striker was on-form during the away trip at Silvio Berlusconi’s side.
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Monza 0-1 AC Milan – Highlights
Milan marched to Monza’s Stadio Brianteo with the momentum of the 1-0 win over Tottenham, which could very well secure their first Champions League quarter-final for 11 years.
Aside from that, Rossoneri was aiming for the third consecutive league games victories for the first time since the season resumed after the World Cup break.
Former Milan’s owner Berlusconi was also in the stand to watch the game, which Monza really had Milan struggled.
Without, Zlatan Ibrahimovic yet again this season, Rafael Leao was in charge of attacking for Milan and almost scored in the 19th minute.
The Portuguese’s finish hit the post while his low shot from the edge of the box saved by Monza’s Michele Di Gregorio six minutes later.
Home side keeper Di Gregorio was having a busy day as he made two other sharp saves to keep out Brahim Diaz and Fikayo Tomori.
But Di Gregorio was finally beaten after the half-hour mark when Messias landed home a ball that the keeper could only touch with the tip of his gloves.
Messias’ powerful left-footed finish was too good as it reached the bottom-right corner and far out of reach.
Milan’s Theo Hernandez should have doubled their lead when he lobbed the goalkeeper in the 57th minute but his shot went wide.
Ciurria drilled a 20-yard effort against the foot of the post with 17 minutes remaining, but Milan stood firm and almost added a second through Charles De Ketelaere late on.
Monza could have equalised in the 73rd but Ciurria’s low shot hit the right post, which was the closet chance for the host as their longest unbeaten run in Serie A stopped at eight games.
Monza, who had been without a league loss in the whole of 2023, dropped to 11th in the table on 29 points.
Milan is back on track
After seven games without a victory across all competitions, Milan looks to be back on track with a three-match winning run.
Pioli was under extreme pressure but now the manager could breathe as his club climed to top four and having huge chance to qualify for Champions League’s quarter-final.
What’s next for Milan
A huge fixture is a head as Milan facing fellow top-four contenders Atalanta at home next Sunday, only before their two consecutive trips to Fiorentina and Tottenham respectively.