Milan have suffered their first defeat of the Serie A season, as despite a Zlatan Ibrahimovic double, Fiorentina emerged 4-3 winners with Dusan Vlahovic’s brace, a Riccardo Saponara stunner and Ciprian Tatarusanu howler.
The Diavolo had been unbeaten in the league since a 3-0 away to Lazio on April 26, a run of 17 rounds.
The Viola were decimated in defence, with Lucas Martinez-Quarta and Nikola Milenkovic suspended, plus Matija Nastasic, Erick Pulgar and Bartlomiej Dragowski injured, so Igor was the only available centre-back. Nico Gonzalez wasn’t fully fit either after three weeks out with COVID-19. The Rossoneri had an even lengthier absentee list, making the trip without Fikayo Tomori, Ante Rebic, Davide Calabria, Samu Castillejo, Mike Maignan, Daniel Maldini and Alessandro Plizzari, plus Alessio Romagnoli not at 100 per cent, so Matteo Gabbia got a rare start.
There was fog at the Stadio Franchi, but not enough to put the match in danger. Zlatan Ibrahimovic had the ball in the net after four minutes, but was clearly offside.
Fiorentina took the lead after a howler from former Viola goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu. He seemed to have the corner under control when plucking it out of the air, but fumbled horribly and Gabbia tried to shield it, but failed as Alfred Duncan prodded in from six yards.
Dusan Vlahovic threatened a second moments later, nodding Jose Callejon’s cross over the bar, while Sandro Tonali stung Pietro Terracciano’s gloves and the goalkeeper twice got his fingertips to Rafael Leao efforts.
Igor made a crucial block on Leao after the Simon Kjaer ball over the top, Giacomo Bonaventura drilled wide, but Ibrahimovic should’ve done better with a diving header inches wide from six yards on the Kjaer cross.
Just as Milan were pushing hard for the equaliser, Fiorentina doubled their lead with a sumptuous finish from Saponara, curled with the inside of the right boot into the far top corner from the edge of the box. He dedicated the goal to Davide Astori with the ‘captain, my captain’ salute.
Ibrahimovic missed another very promising opportunity set up by Leao after the restart, then the Portuguese forward curled just over the bar.
Fiorentina were more clinical, as Vlahovic snuck up behind Gabbia to control a Duncan ball over the top, took it around the on-rushing Tatarusanu and scored from a tight angle for 3-0.
The Viola allowed Milan right back into it with Bonaventura passing straight to Ibrahimovic inside his own penalty area, a gift the Swede wasn’t going to turn down. It made him the third-oldest player to score in Serie A at 40 years and 48 days.
Leao had penalty appeals rejected when he got into a tangle with Alvaro Odriozola, but moments later Theo Hernandez shrugged off Odriozola to pull back from the by-line for Ibrahimovic to sweep in first time from seven yards.
However, it was the Rossoneri’s turn to engage in some suicidal defending, Theo Hernandez caught in possession on the edge of his own area by Nico Gonzalez, setting up Vlahovic to fire in.
It still wasn’t over, as with the last kick of the game, Ibrahimovic’s header bounced off the woodwork, hit Lorenzo Venuti in the face and ricocheted into the net for 4-3.
Fiorentina 4-3 Milan
Duncan 15 (F), Saponara 45 (F), Vlahovic 60, 85 (F), Ibrahimovic 62, 67 (M), Venuti og 96 (M)
Very sloppy performance from Milan and I said it before and I will say it again, this game marks the beginning of the end of their title hopes. Like Spezia last season, you have to win these tricky games away from home, playing badly even just a 1-0. You cannot be 3-0 down and call yourself champions. They got lucky against Bologna and it ran out tonight. Milan play good football overall but they do not have the quality, depth and experience to get over the finish line. Tatarusanu did a Szczesny and that cost Milan the game no matter what people say. Not having Tomori and putting in Gabbia highlights the lack of quality in key areas. The old Juve would have come here and got a 1-0, and Inter like they did a few months back came here and it was easy. Sadly I think the Nerazzurri will defeat Napoli and then it is 4 points. Like last season they will creep back and their depth will make them champions which is going to be hard to swallow. I hate to admit but they will win by a comfortable margin.
I can legislate for the Tata error, because we knew he would drop a change at one stage. The one I can’t forgive is Theo’s error. Impossible to explain. Still. Every goal had defensive errors all over them.
@ Uncle Z
Did we watch the same game? Fiorentina has 5 shots on goal and 4 ended up going in.. pretty awesome ratio no? 2 were completely gifted. Milan loses one game in the league in what a year and all of a sudden it’s the beginning of their downfall.. please.
Dear Viktor, yes I did watch the game and am I wrong with Tata? I like Milan and said they play good football but the game is always about fine details. It does not matter about how many chances and shots, rather can you take them. Fiorentina took what was given to them and if Zlatan had headed in the sitter from the Kjaer cross it could have been different. The fact is you have to take the chances or get punished. You cannot aspire to be champions and be losing 3-0 on a tricky ground. The great teams of the past like the old Juve, Inter and Man Utd once upon a time can play bad but grind it out. That is the mark of a champion. Milan could have been 10 pts clear of Inter, but it looks like it could be 4. Mark my words Inter will move ahead of Milan for once reason. They have more quality, depth and experience in the ranks. I would hate for them to win it and would much prefer Napoli, but we have to be realistic. Even Napoli do not have the depth to go the whole race, and that is the only reason why I am calling it for Inter due to the squad depth and quality.
@Viktor Soderholm
Milan went into half time 2-0 down despite Fiorentina barely even getting into the Milan box bar for the corners. Every single goal conceded had defensive errors written all over them. Regardless, if you score 3 away from home, you have to at least get a point. They would’ve done until Theo intervened. Nearly cost Milan everything in his last outing vs Roma and definitely cost Milan a point tonight. Still. That’s a first defeat since the woeful display vs Lazio….7 months ago.
@ Uncle Z
don’t dare say anything against Milan in front of Viktor lol – he can’t take any criticism of them at all, even when it’s the truth. Milan have an average squad, and it’s a real worry on the reflection of Serie A to see such a squad near the top.
The Uncle is right football is about taking your chances as we often see teams who do not make the most of their chances can get punished and that is what happened. Milan are still a young team but at some point they cannot use the youth regeneration as an excuse if they are serious about winning the title. They have some really promising players like Tonali and Bennacer. Theo made a mistake and that has happened to many players. I have no idea why ACM renewed the contract of Salad Makers. This guy is Castillejo with a right foot. There is no end product, no goals and really nothing special there. Likewise I can see Inter piling on the pressure and eventually overtaking them as I just feel they will slip up again.
Like every Milan supporters tonight, of course it was darn disappointing and may I say maddening. So much schoolboy errors in one game! However, it is still early in the season, we can improve and we would have to. Otherwise, forget CL next season if we keep defending like this. I am as baffled as the rest of you for Gabbia’s selection. The guy barely play all season and have to face one of the most in form striker in the league.. Sometimes I just wonder where would we be if we didnt purchase Tomori last window..
Hopefully this game also proves that Vlahovic is the man we need to sign. What an exponential growth he is having and would definitely complete the puzzle for us in the attacking department.
@BUNGA2
Vlahovic is the man Milan need, but where would they get the money for him? a five year contract for him would cost Milan well over 100m between wages and the fee, so it’s almost impossible.
he’ll be off to England soon like all the other talented Serie A players. it’s a shame to see it this way now.
@Viktor
“Milan loses one game in the league in what a year”?
A year? Where did you get that from lol. This was their 8th league defeat over the last year, and 13th in all competitions.
@boss
8th loss?
Osimhen , anguissa, koulibaly, ghoulam, ounas, kessie, ballo toure, bennacer all gone for cup of nations early next year, that’s when inter will increase their gap at the top
@BOSS I am not being critical of ACM but just trying to be realistic. They have a good foundation but I just don’t see enough fire power for them to get the job done. Now is their best time to win the league with a Juve side in construction as next year teams will only get stronger in theory. Pioli is a decent coach and good man manager. But he is not a man you get to win titles as he is too nice. I bet after the whistle he would be putting his arms around the players. As much as Conte is a polarising figure that result would not be acceptable and he would berate the players. That is the difference maker right there. Milan have a good young crop of players but they cannot make this the excuse forever. Kessie is not worth 9 mil a year as this type of game is one where he needs to own the middle of the field. I would forgive Theo as everybody makes mistakes, but his defensive side needs to be brushed up. I have no idea why they renewed Alexis Salad Maker’s contract. This guy is a right footed Castillejo, no final product, no goals and I just see nothing. They got very lucky against Inter and mark my words Sassuolo will get a draw at the San Siro.
@ Viktor
Yes, 8th league loss in the last year.