AC Milan secured a crucial win in their encounter with Fiorentina at Artemio Franchi last night. Rafael Leao in his 200th match for the Rossoneri, was the protagonist and below are all the key stats from the game.
After a very good first half, though without finding the back of the net, Ruben Loftus-Cheek opened the scoring just two minutes into the second half. Fiorentina equalised just a few minutes later, but Rafael Leao restored the lead a few minutes after that.
For Milan, it was a very important win in many ways, now six points ahead of third-placed Juventus in the league standings.
Artemio Franchi spell broken
Milan clinched their first win against Fiorentina at Artemio Franchi for the first time since the 2020-21 season. Prior to yesterday’s clash, they had lost their last two games at the stadium and the performance thus sent a very strong signal.
Taking a look at the overall stats, we can see that Milan were the better side on most fronts. They certainly took Fiorentina by surprise in the first half, dominating possession initially, and should have scored given the chances that were created.
📊 The stats from the win against Fiorentina pic.twitter.com/SmsOlJlrf9
— MilanData📊 (@acmilandata) March 30, 2024
Loftus-Cheek lethal in the box
The Englishman scored his tenth goal of the season in all competitions for Milan, making the most of a wonderful Leao backheel. Stefano Pioli said it at the start of the year: Loftus-Cheek needs to get into the box more. Since then, he has scored nine goals and that says a lot.
Thanks to the goal last night, he became the third English player to score more than five goals in a single season in Milan’s history. Mark Hateley (7 in 1984-85 and 8 in 1985/86) and Jimmy Graves (9 in 1961-62) were the first to do it.
.@RLC (6 goals) became the third English player in the history of #ACMilan to score more than five goals in a Serie A season, after Mark Hateley (7 in 1984-85 and 8 in 1985/86) and Jimmy Graves (9 in 1961-62).
[via @OptaPaolo] pic.twitter.com/0IN6vqbJ4z
— MilanData📊 (@acmilandata) March 30, 2024
Leao’s important milestone
The Portuguese winger was brilliant last night, voted the MOTM by Gazzetta dello Sport, and it was the perfect occasion for such a good performance. Indeed, he has now made 200 appearances for Milan in all competitions, now one of the most experienced players in the squad.
Milan will be hoping that he can continue like this as the season finale is bound to be very exciting if so. The Europa League is now the main goal, with Champions League qualification more or less in the bag, and the Rossoneri will need a Leao in great form.
During the win against Fiorentina, @RafaeLeao7 made his 200th appearance for #ACMilan across all competitions. He has 54 goals and 48 assists for the club.pic.twitter.com/Dtzde06Y3E
— MilanData📊 (@acmilandata) March 31, 2024
17 shits against is a bit too much though…