Serie A, Fiorentina beaten by Milan 1-2
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Milan also beats Franchi, scores with Loftus-Cheek and Leao and extends to second place in the standings, taking a +6 lead over Juventus who lost to Lazio in Rome. The Rossoneri team demonstrates that they are going through a great moment by scoring their fourth consecutive championship win, three of which away from home after those against Lazio and Verona.
Fiorentina is unable to achieve a positive result in the first match without general manager Joe Barone, who passed away on March 19th: the draw scored by Duncan lasted only a handful of minutes, an illusion in an evening in the memory of the manager commemorated before of the match with a maxi choreography that covered the Curva Fiesole and the Maratona (also dedicated to the Viola fans who died over the years), several banners and a minute of meditation concluded with the launch of white balloons by a group of children.
For the Italian team, which slipped to 10th place (but with one game less), this is the second internal defeat in 2024: Europe, at least in the championship, is moving away.
Stefano Pioli, dealing with many absences, replaced the suspended Theo Hernandez with Florenzi and preferred Chukwueze to Pulisic, otherwise a lineup without surprises with Leao on the left and Giroud as an attacking midfielder. Important exclusions also in Fiorentina on the pitch with mourning on their arms: Vincenzo Italiano initially left Nico Gonzalez on the bench who was the last to return from his national team commitments (Ikoné in his place) and relaunched Dodo and Koaumè who had not been starters since 14 September (the first ) and from 29 December (the second).
Beltran is inside in the attacking midfield also due to Bonaventura's disqualification, Duncan in midfield for Arthur, confirmation as forward for Belotti.
Ready to go, Milan immediately went on the attack and came close to scoring with Chukwueze, Leao and Giroud but Terracciano was attentive. Fiorentina, contracted and often vulnerable at the back, still had a couple of chances with Belotti (well done Maignan) and Ikoné. The result broke the deadlock at the start of the second half when Milan capitalized on their offensive push with Loftus-Cheek triggered with a backheel by a Leao was disruptive and favored by an unfortunate slip by Milenkovic right in front of the goal. The Viola, however, managed to react immediately by equalizing with a razor from Duncan served by Belotti.
But the score changed again after a handful of minutes, with Leao as the protagonist who celebrated his 200th appearance for the Rossoneri in the best possible way, the 5th league goal for the Portuguese scored after a 50 meter run. Shortly thereafter Pioli replaced him with Okafor and later he also inserted Pulisic (who scored but was offside) and the former player Jovic, also to try to control a Fiorentina team which, with the push of its fans, was trying to straighten the match again before with Belotti (Maignan's save), then with Mandragora stopped again by the Rossoneri goalkeeper. Italiano played everything in the final by inserting Nico Gonzalez and deploying the double center forward (Nzola was also in). But heart and pride were not enough for the Viola to avoid defeat on the saddest evening.
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