After the disappointing defeat against Dortmund, AC Milan showed themselves to be in better shape again despite some personnel worries. Frosinone were beaten 3:1, partly because Jovic finally got the hang of it
After AC Milan’s disappointing 3-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, they wanted to make amends in the league against Frosinone. However, the Rossoneri were next to suffer an injury with Thiaw (serious tendon injury), while star striker Giroud was suspended. Coach Stefano Pioli made three changes from the BVB game: Florenzi, Musah and Jovic came in for Thiaw, Adli and Giroud, with Theo moving to the unfamiliar position of left-back.
Canarini, meanwhile, had three interesting names in the starting eleven: in addition to ex-Dortmund player Reinier (27 Bundesliga games), there were also two Germans in the starting line-up: Nuremberg-born Ibrahimovic and Freising-born Cuni, although Cuni also has Albanian citizenship and has already played one international match for the Red & Blacks.
In San Siro, however, Cuni now faced the Rossoneri – and it was noticeable that Frosinone had a good match plan: The Milanese quickly gained a visual advantage, but hardly developed any penetrating power against deep-lying and destructive visitors. It looked good at times, but ultimately the Lombards lacked the final punch
Cuni shows nerves, Jovic takes the risk
They repeatedly got bogged down on the wing and made life easy for Frosinone. The newly-promoted side obviously focused on defending, but they also repeatedly launched attacks to relieve pressure and hinted at a goal threat.
Nevertheless, it was a tough game for long stretches of the first half, which only picked up pace shortly before half-time – with the visitors having a top chance: Cuni failed to beat Milan goalkeeper Maignan one-on-one after a lapse by Tomori (42′). On the counter-attack, however, Milan countered successfully: Loftus-Cheek drove down the right and his cross was deflected too short by Romagnoli. The ball landed with Jovic, who took a risk and scored with a spectacular side-footed shot to make it 1:0. It was the first goal for the recently much-maligned Serbian in his tenth game for the Rossoneri (43′).
After the changeover, Monterisi, Romagnoli and Okoli made a complete mistake when Milan goalkeeper Maignan was sent wide, which Pulisic immediately punished when he ran into the sixteen and beat keeper Turati with a lob – 2:0 (50′). Ultimately, that was the early decider in this game. Frosinone put in a good effort in the following minutes, but Milan did not really let anything get in their way and even went one better: Jovic played in Tomori in the five-yard box after a corner kick and clever cross from Theo – 3:0 (74′).
In the final phase, Brescianini’s free-kick found its way directly into the Milan goal – but the 1:3 was too late (82′). The home side, for whom the 15-year-old Camarda also celebrated his second Serie A appearance, took the victory with aplomb. The result means the Milanese remain in the championship race with Juventus and Inter Milan.
Next Saturday, the Rossoneri face a tricky neighborhood duel at Atalanta Bergamo (6 p.m.), while Frosinone host FC Torino the following day (12:30 p.m.).
