Rafael Leao And Theo Hernandez Put Milan On The Verge Of Scudetto Glory

There was so much at stake at San Siro, that the Rossoneri could take a giant step towards the Scudetto, La Dea aiming for a Europa League spot. Simon Kjaer was the only remaining absentee, while the visitors missed Rafael Toloi, Giuseppe Pezzella and Josip Ilicic.

Rafael Leao’s curler was straight at Juan Musso, while Luis Muriel went on a strong run and shrugged off two defenders at the by-line, then tested Mike Maignan with a strike from the edge of the area that was plucked out of the top corner.

Olivier Giroud was furious that his penalty appeals were rejected after a knee to the hip from Berat Djimsiti, earning only a yellow card for dissent, but any contact was outside the box and VAR could not intervene. It was also not a red card, as he was moving away from goal and did not have the ball under control.

Half the crowd thought the Theo Hernandez free-kick was in, but it hit the wrong side of the netting with Musso rooted to the spot.

Stefano Pioli made an inspired double substitution, because Junior Messias provided an assist with almost his first touch, sending Rafael Leao to blaze forward and drill through Musso’s legs. Atalanta was angry, as they felt there was a Pierre Kalulu foul on Matteo Pessina in the build-up.

Duvan Zapata fired over after shaking off Theo Hernandez, then the Colombian turned a free header wide from a corner.

Theo Hernandez doubled Milan’s lead with a remarkable run that he started on the edge of his penalty area, shaking off five opponents until he slipped the finish into the far bottom corner. Again, there were protests at a possible foul on Jeremie Boga in the build-up.

Source: Football-Italia