AC Milan made it four Serie A wins in a row with a comfortable 4-1 victory against newly-promoted Monza at San Siro on Saturday evening.
Milan went into the break two goals up thanks to what can only fairly be described as a Brahim Diaz masterclass, with the playmaker breaking the deadlock after a run from the halfway line and then scoring with a wonderful turn and shot to make it 2-0.
It was 3-0 when Divock Origi scored his first Milan goal with a thumping shot into the top corner from the edge of the box and though Filippo Ranocchia pulled one back with a free-kick from long range, Rafael Leao killed the contest off the bench with a fourth goal.
The win means it was an unhappy return to San Siro for Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani, while the Rossoneri move level at the top with Napoli while waiting for their result against Roma in the Derby della Sole tomorrow.
To say Stefano Pioli opted for rotation would be an understatement as Sergino Dest, Simon Kjaer, Tommaso Pobega, Ismael Bennacer, Junior Messias, Ante Rebic and Divock Origi all came into the starting XI having not been present in the win over Hellas Verona.
Monza allowed Milan to dominate the possession in the early exchanges but they failed to really generate any opportunities from it as the theme from the opening few minutes was crosses that were deep.
After a very scrappy opening 15 minutes, it was in the 16th minute that Milan took the lead and it was another magnificent solo run from Brahim Diaz. He controlled a long ball from Ciprian Tatarusanu on the halfway line and Monza parted like the red sea, allowing the Spaniard to surge into the box and finish into the bottom corner virtually from the ground.
There was a chance to make it 2-0 just minutes later when Origi did brilliantly to win back possession right on the byline and cut the ball back to Rebic inside the area, with the Croatian laying it off to Pobega who was blocked off just as he was about to shout.
Monza provided two reminders of the threat that they pose before the half-hour mark in the game. The first occasion came when Stefano Sensi shot from just over 20 yards out and forced Ciprian Tatarusanu into a parry, and the second was a glorious chance as Ciurria’s cross from the right found Carlos Augusto’s diving header, but Tatarusanu made a good reaction save.
Origi was clearly desperate to open his account for Milan in front of a sell-out San Siro crowd and he was not far away from doing so with a shot from the right side of the box that was low and into the side netting.
If Brahim Diaz’s first goal on the night was special, his second one might have been even better. Some great hold-up play by Origi allowed the Belgian forward to pick out a ball in to the No.10 who was waiting just in front of the penalty spot, and his first touch took the defender out of the game while the second was a sweet right-footed shot into the bottom corner.
The only change at the break that Pioli made was somewhat of an eye-opening one as Dest was taken off having not had a bad first 45 minutes, and Pierre Kalulu came on at right-back.
Di Gregorio was called into action in the opening stages of the second half as Brahim Diaz again caused havoc between the lines, this time turning supplier for Rebic with a lovely through ball that was well saved from close range by the former Inter stopper.
Brahim Diaz was forced off with what looked like a tight hamstring in the 52nd minute and he was replaced by Charles De Ketelaere who was just coming back from a muscle problem of his own.
Milan continued to win the ball high up the pitch and Origi again came close to his first goal for the Rossoneri when Bennacer found him with a through ball after winning possession back, however he was crowded out by the two centre-backs.
A double change came after that as Matteo Gabbia came on for Kjaer and Rafael Leao took over from Rebic.
Origi could have had an assist moments after that as he fed Messias down the right, yet the Brazilian somehow skewed his shot into the second tier as he snatched at the chance.
After countless opportunities, Origi finally opened up his account for Milan with a stunning goal in the 65th minute. He got the ball on the edge of the box after a feed from Messias and De Ketelaere’s run created the space for him to let fly with a rocket of a shot that went into the top right corner at the near post.
Monza gave themselves a lifeline in stunning fashion as Filippo Ranocchia chose to shoot with a free-kick from over 25 yards out that seemed to surprise Tatarusanu, as the Romanian could only scamper over and tip it into the inside netting.
Tatarusanu did make a smart save at his near post as Milan failed to deal with a set piece and Mari laid it off to Carboni at the far side of the box, with the former Cagliari man hitting a firm effort that was well parried.
As the away side tried to turn the screw, Milan put the game to bed inside the final 10 minutes. Theo Hernandez won the ball back midway inside Monza’s half and carried it into the box, cutting the ball back to Rafael Leao who sat the goalkeeper down with a calm and cool finish.
The icing on the cake should have been a fifth goal and a first for De Ketelaere when he was found totally unmarked inside the area yet the ball took a bounce that he didn’t read and he ended up slicing at thin air.
For those of you who doubted..
D I V O C K !
Unnecessary hater, where did you see Origi’s doubters ? The most complains was about his fitness. Just be glad we won and in a good way no need to be hating on fellow fans. Peace ✌️
Just scroll around the post match vs Verona and you’d see. Many questioned about his 4 mil salary as well. Etc etc. No intention of hating whatsoever. Had a good feeling about this man when we got him, just super glad he’s finally able to show his worth. Peace
Also not necessary on hating our player. Loanee or not, they are plays for Milan this season
This. That’s why I always back up the ‘people’s favorite’ here, Krunic.
‘Be patient with CDK’ will be all over the comment section.
He is a very good player but his confidence is at zero right now
Finally Divock got his first goal 🥳