Milan started 2023 with a victory over Salernitana. Rafael Leao and Sandro Tonali scored early in the match, substitutes Charles De Ketelaere and Aster Vranckx took the win: 1-2.
Salernitana fired eagerly into the new year and put pressure on Milan. The champion, with the recovered Alexis Saelemaekers in the starting line-up, had difficulty defending, but also got a lot of space.
Rafael Leao missed a first chance, but when he was sent off by Tonali after 10 minutes, he took Salernitana keeper Ochoa to graze. For the third year in a row, the Portuguese is Milan’s first goalscorer of the year.
Tonali took on the role of finisher a little later. His first shot was saved, but by his second attempt, Ochoa had no recourse on his debut in Salerno. Ochoa therefore had to give in quickly 2 times, but then played strong.
Ochoa keeps De Ketelaere from first goal for Milan
Because Milan failed to increase the score: Diaz and Hernandez before half-time and Giroud after half-time lost big chances or found Ochoa on their way. He also encountered substitute Charles De Ketelaere.
Our compatriot eagerly came in with some good actions and was kept from his first goal for Milan twice by Ochoa. Nevertheless, Rafael Leao was a bit resentful about De Ketelaere’s choices on two occasions.
In the end, things got tense after substitute Bonazzoli’s 1-2 (forgotten by Saelemaekers at the far post), but Milan held on, partly due to the hard work of substitute Vranckx. This way it stays somewhat in the wake of leader Napoli, who will visit Inter tonight.
Watch one of Ochoa’s two great saves at De Ketelaere
second half, minute 99 match over
The ball goes over the back line in a corner kick. It is taken by Sandro Tonali (AC Milan), but his cross is too short and is cleared. second half, minute 99.
The ball goes over the back line in a corner kick. It is taken by Sandro Tonali (AC Milan), but his cross is too short and is cleared.
Save by Guillermo Ochoa (Salernitana), who dives to parry the ball. second half, minute 98.
Save by Guillermo Ochoa (Salernitana), who dives to parry the ball.
Charles De Ketelaere (AC Milan) hits from… second half, minute 98.
Charles De Ketelaere (AC Milan) lashes out…
Grigoris Kastanos (Salernitana) is whistled back by the referee. He went too hard on Ciprian Tatarusanu (AC Milan). second half, minute 98.
Grigoris Kastanos (Salernitana) is whistled back by the referee. He went too hard on Ciprian Tatarusanu (AC Milan).
Domagoj Bradaric takes the corner for Salernitana. He drops the ball centrally in front of goal. second half, minute 97.
Domagoj Bradaric takes the corner for Salernitana. He drops the ball centrally in front of goal.
Diego Valencia (Salernitana) is whistled back by the referee. He went too hard on Theo Hernandez (AC Milan). second half, minute 95.
Diego Valencia (Salernitana) is whistled back by the referee. He went too hard on Theo Hernandez (AC Milan).
Yellow card for Flavius Daniliuc of Salernitana during second half, minute 93
Flavius Daniliuc (Salernitana) is called back by the referee. He went too hard on Rafael Leão (AC Milan). second half, minute 92.
Flavius Daniliuc (Salernitana) is called back by the referee. He went too hard on Rafael Leão (AC Milan).
The attempt is saved by Guillermo Ochoa (Salernitana). The keeper went flat and was able to clamp the ball. second half, minute 91.
The attempt is saved by Guillermo Ochoa (Salernitana). The keeper went flat and was able to clamp the ball.
Sergiño Dest (AC Milan) hits from… second half, minute 91.
Sergiño Dest (AC Milan) lashes out…
Grigoris Kastanos (Salernitana) is whistled back by the referee. He went too hard on Pierre Kalulu (AC Milan). second half, minute 89.
Grigoris Kastanos (Salernitana) is whistled back by the referee. He went too hard on Pierre Kalulu (AC Milan).
Flavius Daniliuc (Salernitana) is called back by the referee. He went too hard on Theo Hernandez (AC Milan). second half, minute 88.
Flavius Daniliuc (Salernitana) is called back by the referee. He went too hard on Theo Hernandez (AC Milan).
Matteo Gabbia (AC Milan) is whistled back by the referee. He went too hard on Federico Bonazzoli (Salernitana). second half, minute 87.
Matteo Gabbia (AC Milan) is whistled back by the referee. He went too hard on Federico Bonazzoli (Salernitana).
The attempt is saved by Guillermo Ochoa (Salernitana), who does not give away a rebound. second half, minute 87.
The attempt is saved by Guillermo Ochoa (Salernitana), who does not give away a rebound.
Sandro Tonali (AC Milan) can score, but his shot is blocked. second half, minute 87.
Sandro Tonali (AC Milan) can score, but his shot is blocked.
Flavius Daniliuc (Salernitana) is called back by the referee. He went too hard on Rafael Leão (AC Milan). second half, minute 86.
Flavius Daniliuc (Salernitana) is called back by the referee. He went too hard on Rafael Leão (AC Milan).
Grigoris Kastanos (Salernitana) is whistled back by the referee. He went too hard on Aster Vranckx (AC Milan). second half, minute 85.
Grigoris Kastanos (Salernitana) is whistled back by the referee. He went too hard on Aster Vranckx (AC Milan).
second half, minute 85. Replacement at AC Milan, Aster Vranckx in, Olivier Giroud out
