AC Milan returned to winning ways in Serie A after securing a 2-0 victory over Bologna at the Stadio San Siro on Saturday evening.
The champions salvaged a draw against Atalanta last time out but built on an opening day victory against Udinese by comfortably overcoming Bologna, with Rafael Leao netting his first of the season.
Giroud’s acrobatics help Milan to victory
The Portugal international slotted in after a fine assist from new arrival Charles De Ketelaere, whilst he also came close with a slaloming run and strike from deep inside the opposition half just before the interval.
Bologna were the architects of their own downfall as they gifted their hosts a second after the break. A blind Andrea Cambiasso pass across his own box was intercepted by Leao and he was able to set up Olivier Giroud to net with a stunning acrobatic volley, firing in as the ball dipped over his shoulder.
The away team offered little threat but Nicola Sansone came within inches of halving the deficit with a thunderous strike from a freekick, but his effort clipped the wrong side of the post and went wide.
Meanwhile, Milan went close again late on when Yacine Adli met a looping cross at the back post but was denied by the the foot of goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski. The Rossoneri saw out the game comfortably to maintain their unbeaten start.
De Ketelaere hits the ground running
After a lengthy transfer saga, Milan finally landed De Ketelaere from Club Brugges this summer and it appears to have been worth the wait. The young midfielder grabbed an assist on debut for Leao by showing great strength to win the ball and drive forward to tee up his teammate.
Meanwhile, he ought to have had another to his name after a wonderfully weighted pass found Pierre Kalulu free in the box, but the defender scuffed his finish.
Full of tricks, close control, and an eye for a pass, Milan look to have a gem on their hands in the 21-year-old Belgian.
