Milan are top of the table, one point ahead of Inter, Napoli, and Roma. Milan sit alone in first place, something that hadn’t happened for two years.
Leao was man of the match, as he should be more often, but consistency is not his strength. Maybe things will change under Massimiliano Allegri, a coach known for motivating and pushing his players.
The win against Fiorentina counts double, achieved under extreme conditions. Milan were without Rabiot and Pulisic, two key figures, as well as Loftus-Cheek, Nkunku, Estupiñán, and long-term absentee Jashari.
Allegri managed his limited bench well. He brought on Santi Gimenez at the right moment. The Mexican changed the team’s face, dragging them forward in a way unseen during the first 55 minutes.
San Luka...
This comeback win would not have been possible without another shining display from Luka Modric. If Milan are back on top, much of the credit goes to the leader on the pitch, the Ballon d’Or winner who, at 40, still teaches football. Watching him is a lesson. The tireless Croatian was always present, even in the tough first-half moments when Milan lacked drive and Fiorentina tried to find gaps between the lines.
During that phase, Modric humbly put aside the symbolic No.10 that fits his status and took on the No.4 spirit of an old-fashioned holding midfielder. He blocked, intercepted, and covered. With Modric, it’s easy to sound repetitive, but he remains a timeless champion.
The fact he is 40 feels unreal. Last night, Stefano Pioli assigned the 22-year-old Fazzini to mark him, and Modric, 18 years older, made him chase shadows, taking away space and rhythm. Before the youngster was subbed off, Modric even beat him in a short sprint, something that looked unnatural.
Fiorentina, bottom with Genoa and Pisa, protested the penalty awarded to Milan via VAR. But Pioli, whose return to San Siro was bitter despite the affection of the Milan fans, should partly blame himself. Fiorentina were too passive, both before and after taking the lead. At 2-1 in the 88th minute, Dzeko’s entry was overdue, and in the final ten minutes, including stoppage time, the Viola filled Milan’s box like never before. Maybe Dzeko doesn’t start because he is almost 40 and static due to his build, but he deserves more minutes, as pointed out by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Tactical stalemate. Both sides lined up identically, 3-5-1-1, with the player behind the striker being a midfielder: Saelemaekers for Milan, Fazzini for Fiorentina. Each team waited for the other to open up and leave space for Leao or Kean. None of that happened in a first half dominated by tactical and technical balance. Zero shots on target, few emotions. Milan wasted their two clear chances through Tomori and Pavlovic, both following free kicks from the final third. On each occasion, they sent the ball into the stands from close range. In an attack lacking firepower, two defenders tried to break the deadlock, both failing badly. A dull 45 minutes, lit only by Maignan’s bold dribble past Kean near the goal line, risky but successful and applauded by San Siro. Fiorentina barely threatened. Gabbia marked Kean in old-school fashion, clearing at every doubt.
AC Milan's comeback.
Fiorentina took the lead early in the second half. On a cross from Fagioli, Ranieri outjumped Saelemaekers and sent the ball across, where Maignan’s weak save deflected off Gabbia, allowing Gosens to finish. A goal both lucky and forced. Allegri was already preparing Gimenez to enter, even at 0-0. The young Athekame went off, Saelemaekers moved back to the right flank, and Gimenez joined Leao up front. The game quickly turned. Leao equalized with a powerful shot from 25 meters, well-placed and unstoppable. Fiorentina were temporarily down to ten men, with Ranieri on the sidelines receiving treatment. The Viola complained about the timing of his return, but Leao likely would have scored even at full strength.
Then came De Gea’s big save on Gimenez’s deflection, followed by the penalty awarded for Parisi’s pull on Gimenez, converted by Leao. It was his first penalty for Milan, surprising given this is his seventh season. The kick was perfect. That brings us back to Leao’s greatness, still too sporadic and inconsistent. If Allegri makes it steady, the Scudetto will be within reach. And praise must go to San Luka, the real difference from last season’s struggles.
