Monza 0-1 Milan: Messias strike secures another crucial victory

AC Milan continued their return to form as they recorded a third victory and clean sheet in a row in a 1-0 victory over Monza at the U-Power Stadium.

Saturday evening’s game was won thanks to a strike in the first half from Junior Messias. Both teams had plenty of chances to make it a higher-scoring affair.

An impressive start to the game was made by Ciprian Tatarusanu who made two important saves within the first two minutes, helping the Rossoneri to avoid the worst start possible.

It was then the Diavolo who came close to taking the lead with Malick Thiaw flicking the ball on for Divock Origi who saw his backheeled effort saved.

Desperate to get back into form, Leao unleashed a superb shot from range which clipped off the outside of the post. It was Leao again who almost scored a few minutes later after Junior Messias won the ball in midfield and played the Portuguese forward in.

His low shot from the edge of the box was saved by Michele Di Gregorio but he didn’t hold it. Brahim Diaz collected the ball but could not force it past the sprawling goalkeeper.

Milan began to build a head of steam and the next chance fell to Fikayo Tomori in open play. His shot from close range after a good run was well-saved by Di Gregorio.

That head of steam resulted in a goal for the away team. Messias hit a powerful shot on the turn from the edge of the box and whilst Di Gregorio did get his hands on it, he could not keep it out. The goal meant Stefano Pioli could feel vindicated in his decision to bring Messias into the starting eleven for this match.

Milan started the second half with the same level of dominance as they ended the first. Sandro Tonali managed to get the ball into the box from near the byline but the Monza defence stood firm.

The threat of Monza was always there though and some good interplay from Dany Mota and Andrea Petagna led to the latter taking a shot that was well-saved by Tatarusanu.

That got Monza’s tails up and Birindelli was soon booked for simulation when it appeared Theo Hernandez had brought him down on the edge of the box.

Milan then wasted a guilt-edged chance as a swift breakaway saw Hernandez fly into the box with the ball. He had Leao to his right with an open goal but he opted for a dinked finish which went wide of the post.

It was very clear, as Monza created another half-chance in the box for Nicolo Rovella, that Milan would need a second goal to feel secure.

Hernandez soon burst into the Monza box again after a clever pass from Rade Krunic and he went down under the challenge from Patrick Ciurria. The referee felt the Frenchman was the one who initiated the contact.

Leao then produced another shot on target for Milan, this time seeing his effort from a wide angle parried away by the goalkeeper.

Pioli opted to make three changes partway through the second half as he tried to kill the game that was becoming increasingly frantic.

He removed Diaz, Messias and Origi and brought on Charles De Ketelaere, Olivier Giroud and Alexis Saelemaekers. Soon after, it seemed clear that Monza had scored.

A shot from the edge by Ciurria smacked the post, bounced back and hit Tatarusanu in the back. Luckily, it just went wide of the post. Monza were certainly turning on the pressure.

Despite a good performance, Leao was taken off with just over ten minutes to go having failed to score again Ante Rebic was introduced.

The points should have been secured when Tonali’s shot was saved superbly and De Ketelaere failed to put away the rebound as Di Gregorio got back to his feet quickly.

The victory means that Milan have moved back into the top four although the teams below them have got a game in hand.