AC Milan vs. Fiorentina: Live updates and commentary from the Serie A clash

On: Balentien.

Off: Leao.

Six minutes added on.

On: De Winter.

Off: Saelemaekers.

No issues whatsoever there! Leao sends De Gea the wrong way as he slots home the penalty. A brace for the No.10 this evening…

Milan 2-1 Fiorentina

Marinelli points to the spot after a VAR check. Parisi’s slap/tug on Gimenez is deemed enough to give a penalty.

Gimenez appealing for a penalty after receiving a tug in the penalty box. VAR check ongoing.

What a save! Gimenez is denied by De Gea despite firing a really good finish towards goal.

The feeling is that Milan have benefited a lot from Gimenez coming on. He adds a physical presence in the box and opens up space for his teammates in attack.

Late challenge from the Englishman there.

What a strike by the No.10! He did that all by himself, receiving the ball from Pavlovic before taking on his man, creating some space and firing a low finish past De Gea. Get in!

Milan 1-1 Fiorentina

Fofana’s reaction to the free-kick awarded is deemed too strong by the referee, resulting in the yellow card.

On: Gimenez.

Off: Athekame.

Gosens with the finish after a rather scrappy situation in the box. Pretty unlucky as Maignan deflected the ball onto Gabbia, having initially made the save.

Milan 0-1 Fiorentina

A pretty blatant handball from the youngster there, so the right call.

No changes from Allegri, which is a bit surprising at least to me, but let’s see how things progress in the first 10-15 minutes.

Milan have been the better of the two sides. That said, they haven’t created anywhere near enough chances, struggling to break down Fiorentina’s defence for most of the first half.

Saelemaekers as an attacking midfielder hasn’t really worked, even if he hasn’t been bad in possession, so it’s possible that we could see a tactical change from Allegri for the second half.

First proper chance for Leao on the counter and despite being 1v1, he tries to square it instead. That’s the sign of a Leao who isn’t in form at the moment.

A little bit better from Milan in the last five minutes or so in terms of asserting themselves in possession. They are certainly taking their time, but that’s not a problem as long as some good chances are found in the end. Goes without saying that they are missing Pulisic, though…

Big miss by Pavlovic! It was a bit of luck that he got the ball in the first place, after a deflection, but he needed to do better there from close range. It didn’t help that it was on the half-volley and with his right foot…

It will be very interesting to see how Leao and Saelemaekers can handle the attack tonight. Say what you want about Gimenez, but he forces the defence to sit pretty low with his movement in and around the box. There’s a risk, without a striker, that Fiorentina are allowed to push up too much.

First chance of the game goes to Milan! Modric’s free-kick finds Tomori in the box, but the Englishman fails to hit the target.

It’s a big one for the Rossoneri, as a win would take them to the top of the standings. Considering the heavy absences, however, this will probably be a rather tough game. Let’s hope for the best!

You can go top of the table tonight…

“It’s a great opportunity, there are no excuses or complaints: it’s part of the game, the team is doing well and is coming off a string of positive results. We’re playing against a strong team that hasn’t achieved much of its potential. But tonight we have a great opportunity and we have to play for it,” he told DAZN.

So many absences, so much responsibility? What an opportunity this is for you, your first league start…

“It’s a great opportunity. I’ve worked hard these past few weeks. Maybe I’ve been given less space, as can happen in a big team. I knew that, and I’m fine with that. I’m working to improve myself and do what’s good for the team.

“This could be my chance, but more importantly, it could be everyone’s chance to do well and take first place in the standings,” he stated to DAZN.