Ten-man AC Milan keep ahead of rampant Inter in Serie A Milan (AFP) – AC Milan stayed top in Serie A on Sunday with a 2-0 win over midtable Benevento despite playing an hour a man down and without injured star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
City rivals Inter had moved ahead earlier with Lautaro Martinez scoring a hat-trick in a dominant 6-2 victory over lowly Crotone.
But Milan restored their one-point advantage thanks to a Franck Kessie penalty on 15 minutes after a foul on Ante Rebic with Rafael Leao grabbing an impressive second from a tight angle shortly after half-time.
Stefano Pioli’s side held off the promoted southerners despite Sandro Tonali’s sending off on 33 minutes after his yellow card was changed to red following a VAR review for a high tackle on Artur Ionita.
Kessie wasted no time announcing himself in the match when he opened the scoring for the San Siro outfit in the 15th minute from the penalty spot.
Stefano Pioli’s men suffered a setback when they were reduced to 10 men after Tonali was given his marching orders after a reckless challenge on Artur Ionita.
Despite the one-man shortage, Milan continued to push for a second goal and deservedly got it in the 49th minute when Rafael Leao fired home his effort after he was set up by Ante Rebic.
Benevento were awarded a penalty moments after the hour mark but Gianluca Caprari failed to find the back of the net with his strike.
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Inter Milan s Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal (L) celebrates with teammates after Inter Milan s Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku scored during the Italian Serie A football match Inter vs Fiorentina on September 26, 2020 at the Giuseppe-Meazza (San Siro) stadium in Milan. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP)
Published 3 January 2021
AC Milan stayed top in Serie A on Sunday with a 2-0 win over midtable Benevento despite playing an hour a man down and without injured star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
City rivals Inter had moved ahead earlier with Lautaro Martinez scoring a hat-trick in a dominant 6-2 victory over lowly Crotone.