AC Milan closed the gap at the top of the Serie A table after a comprehensive 4-1 win over Monza at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Saturday. The Rossoneri had Brahim Diaz to thank as he netted a wonderful brace, before Divock Origi added a third in the second half.
Monza pulled a goal back through a Filippo Ranocchia freekick, but Rafael Leao‘s late strike ensured victory to send Milan level with leaders Napoli on 26 points.
Diaz at the double
Milan went ahead on the quarter hour mark in sensational fashion, as Diaz brought a goal kick down in the centre-circle and went on a slaloming run. After charging through the Monza defence and into the box, he completed his solo effort by tucking the ball into the far corner.
Monza came close to an equaliser through Inter loanee Stefano Sensi, but his rasping effort from range was palmed away by Ciprian Tatarasanu.
The Romanian goalkeeper then denied Dany Mota from point-blank range after the striker met a cross with a diving header.
Yet, with only minutes remaining in the first half Diaz doubled Milan‘s advantage with another excellent goal. The Spaniard met a low pass in the box and took a clever touch to move clear, before rifling low into the bottom corner.
Milan stepped up their dominance in the second half and Origi came close after breaking through in the box, whilst Junior Messias blazed well over from a good position.
The pressure told shortly after the hour when Origi netted his first goal since joining from Liverpool, as a thunderous shot with little back-lift flew into the top corner.
Monza were given a lifeline just minutes later as Ranocchia curled in a bending freekick, via Tatarasanu‘s gloves and the inside of the post.
However, with less than 10 minutes remaining the result was put beyond all doubt when substitute Leao met a low cutback and picked his spot to drill home.
Milan make changes but find victory
Whilst they were far from their best, Milan secured another Serie A victory and the champions are well in the mix in the Scudetto race this season.
With leaders Napoli facing a difficult task against AS Roma in the Derby del Sole on Sunday, a victory over Monza with key players missing was just what Milan needed.
A fairly comfortable run-in before the World Cup break could see the Diavolo consolidate their position even further in their efforts to retain the title.
