:AC Milan managed a 1-0 win at lowly Monza thanks to a first-half header from Tijjani Reijnders in Serie A on Saturday.
Midfielder Reijnders scored two minutes before halftime, nodding the ball home after Alvaro Morata’s header from a Christian Pulisic cross was blocked.
Monza were left frustrated after missing numerous wasted opportunities in the first half.
“I was above all concerned in the first half, as we weren’t aggressive enough and didn’t win enough individual duels, but I don’t really remember Monza chances in the second half,” said Milan manager Paulo Fonseca.
His side are seventh with 17 points, eight adrift of leaders Napoli after 10 games, while Monza are 18th on eight.
Fonseca welcomed back Theo Hernandez and Reijnders from suspension, along with Pulisic, who had been struggling with flu symptoms, as his side secured a much-needed win after losing two of their last three league matches.
Milan were fortunate when Monza had an early effort disallowed, as Dany Mota’s half-volley was ruled out for a foul in the build-up.
Just before the half-hour mark, Monza nearly took the lead, but Mike Maignan denied them with a brilliant one-handed reflex save from Pedro Pereira’s powerful header.
Daniel Maldini then showcased his magic minutes later as he expertly manoeuvred through the Milan defence. However, it was a wasted effort as he ended up hitting the post and was also ruled offside.
FORTUNATE MILAN
The visitors went into the break fortunate to be ahead, with Monza the more dominant side but unable to score, while the second half turned into a more evenly matched contest.
Minutes before the final whistle, substitute Rafael Leao had the opportunity to double the score for Milan when he broke through the defence and faced Stefano Turati one-on-one, but he sent the ball straight into the keeper’s arms.
Leao had another chance to seal the match minutes later but shot sky-high, to the frustration of the Portuguese forward.
Monza coach Alessandro Nesta was disappointed with the officials’ decision to disallow Mota’s early goal.
“Football used to be simpler, it used to be a contact sport, now every tiny touch is penalised, a toenail is offside, you have to go into a challenge with your hands clamped behind your back or it might be a penalty,” he told Sky Sports Italia.
“I believe that the refereeing must adapt to the sport, not the other way around. The rules must be adapted to the sport, not the opposite.”
He also praised Maldini, who joined from Milan earlier this year, initially on loan before signing a permanent deal.
“Daniel is a very talented player who in my view needs to find the right mental balance, to understand just how good he is,” Nesta said.
“He was given a talent by God that few others possess, so he needs to keep raising the bar and making the most of that.”
Source: CNA
