AC Milan’s Serie A title aspirations took a hit on Sunday as they suffered a surprising 4-2 defeat away to newly promoted Monza. Missing several key players through injury and suspension, the Rossoneri couldn’t overcome a spirited Monza side who secured their first ever victory over their illustrious visitors.
Missing Stars and Early Setbacks:
Milan entered the match without key figures like Theo Hernandez, Rafael Leao, and Mike Maignan due to injuries. Divock Origi started up front in Leao’s absence, but the Belgian struggled to make an impact. Matteo Pessina and Dany Mota put Monza ahead before half-time, exposing defensive vulnerabilities in the Milanese ranks.
Second-Half Fightback and Controversial Red:
Olivier Giroud and Christian Pulisic pulled Milan level after the break, restoring hope of a comeback. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Luka Jovic received a controversial red card for a challenge on Monza captain Pessina. After consulting VAR, the referee upgraded the initial yellow card to a red, leaving Milan a man down.
Monza Capitalize on Numerical Advantage:
Monza capitalized on their numerical advantage with goals from Warren Bondo and Lorenzo Colombo in the late stages, sealing the victory and sending the home crowd into raptures. For Milan, the defeat represented a missed opportunity to climb into second place in the standings, as Juventus were held to a draw earlier in the day.
Reactions and Looking Ahead:
Milan manager Stefano Pioli lamented the missed opportunity and acknowledged the difficulties posed by the injuries and red card. He stated, “We had to overcome many obstacles today, but ultimately, we weren’t clinical enough. We need to learn from this and bounce back quickly.”
Despite the setback, Milan remain third in the Serie A table and still in contention for the Scudetto. However, they face a crucial Champions League clash against Tottenham Hotspur midweek, followed by a top-of-the-table encounter with Inter Milan next weekend. Addressing their injury concerns and regaining defensive solidity will be paramount if they are to navigate this challenging period successfully.