Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s tap-in after 121 seconds and a Theo Hernandez brace allowed Milan to comfortably sail away with a 3-0 victory against 10-man Venezia.
The Rossoneri were still missing 11 players between COVID, injuries and the Africa Cup of Nations, including Davide Calabria, Fikayo Tomori, Alessio Romagnoli, Samu Castillejo, Simon Kjaer, Fode Ballo-Toure, Franck Kessie and Ismael Bennacer. Venezia had Mattia Caldara and Tenner Tessmann suspended, with Tyronne Ebuehi on international duty. This was the Lagunari’s first game of 2022, as Salernitana were in quarantine and prevented from playing on Thursday.
This was a special occasion for Stefano Pioli, his 400th Serie A match as a coach.
It took 121 seconds to break through, as Rafael Leao sprinted to the by-line and rolled across for Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s tap-in.
A Theo Hernandez volley was just over from the edge of the box, while Sandro Tonali made a decisive tackle just as David Okereke was about to pull the trigger.
Sergio Romero fingertipped Theo Hernandez and Alessandro Florenzi scorchers over the bar, while penalty appeals were rejected for a Florenzi shirt-tug on Thomas Henry.
Milan doubled their lead at the dawn of the second half, Theo Hernandez bursting down the left and holding off his marker to fire into the roof of the net at the near post from the tightest of angles.
Svoboda was having a nightmare game and it got worse when he decided to fill in for the goalkeeper, saving Theo Hernandez’s shot off the line with his hand. It was an inevitable penalty and red card, with Theo Hernandez converting the spot-kick despite Romero getting fingertips to it.
Theo Hernandez had more penalty appeals rejected for Mazzocchi’s challenge as he ran onto a Daniel Maldini through ball.
Venezia 0-3 Milan
Ibrahimovic 3 (M), Theo Hernandez 48, pen 59 (M)
Sent off: Svoboda 58 (V)