AC consolidate second in Serie A

AC MILAN strengthened their grip on second place in Serie A yesterday with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Fiorentina after an Adam Marusic header sunk Juventus in the final seconds at Lazio.

Stefano Pioli’s side closed the yawning gap separating them from runaway league leaders Inter Milan, who host Empoli tomorrow, to 11 points with well-taken goals early in the second half from Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Rafael Leao.

But more importantly a sixth straight win in all competitions meant Milan took advantage of Juve’s single-goal defeat in Rome to move six points clear of their old rivals with eight games remaining.

“It’s more important how you finish the season than how you start it,” said Leao to DAZN.

“We want to finish the season well and we have important matches to play.”

Milan prevailed in Florence also thanks to a decisive display from Mike Maignan, who pulled off a series of good stops before and after Leao had danced past Fiorentina goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano and rolled in the winner in the 53rd minute.

Leao’s fifth league goal of his inconsistent campaign came in a breathless start to the second half in which Loftus-Cheek put Milan ahead in the 47th minute by tucking home the Portugal winger’s backheeled pass.

Alfred Duncan then drew Fiorentina level three minutes later with a brilliant low finish which beat the outstretched Maignan, only for Leao to quickly hit back and secure a big win for Milan.

Fiorentina, who said goodbye to deceased former general manager Giuseppe “Joe” Barone, drop down to 10th following defeat and Torino’s 10 win over Monza earlier in the day. – AFP