AC Milan, beaten by Fiorentina, relapse before facing Tottenham in the Champions League, Maignan played again

Mike Maignan, for his second match after five months without competition, delayed the deadline for a long time. But the doorman of the Blues gave in on a penalty obtained by his ex-Lille teammate Jonathan Ikoné, and transformed by the Argentinian Nicolas Gonzalez (49th), then on a late counter concluded by Luka Jovic (87th). Theo Hernandez only saved the honor with a nice shot under the bar (90 + 5th).

Milan thought they had turned the page on their nightmarish start to the year with four straight wins without conceding a goal. But the Rossoneri, too passive, relapsed at the worst time, perhaps already focused on qualifying for the C1 quarter-finals to validate at Tottenham, after their first leg victory (1-0).

Milan coach Stefano Pioli dismissed the possibility of a team already looking to London: “Fiorentina played better, it’s not because we were thinking about something else. But it will be a different game on Wednesday, Milan will be ready“, he assured on Sky Sport.

The champion remains fourth (with 47 pts) and offers Inter Milan (3rd, also 47 pts) the opportunity to take second place alone on Sunday, currently occupied by Lazio (48 pts), in the event of a victory at San Siro against Lecce. Maignan however did what was necessary during a first half hour copiously dominated by the Viola (seven shots to zero). He was also supported by the rescue on the line of his defender Fikayo Tomori (26th).

Atalanta is still losing ground

But the same Tomori trapped him on the restart by committing a fault on Ikoné and offering Gonzalez a penalty that the Argentinian transformed into finesse. The Fiorentina goalkeeper had until then had much less work, vigilant on a volley from Olivier Giroud during the only real Milanese opportunity in the first period (32nd).

But Pietro Terracciano then pulled out all the stops, on a header from Giroud (51st) then a breakthrough from Hernandez (58th). Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who came into play for the last 25 minutes, did not weigh and Maignan still had to bow on a counter concluded with a header by Jovic.

Hernandez’s final goal did not dampen the joy of the Florentine tifosi at the end of an evening rich in emotions, which began with a tribute to their former captain, Davide Astori, who died in his sleep five years ago. Like the entire Artemio-Franchi stadium, Pioli, who was on the Fiorentina bench when the tragedy took place, applauded his memory for a long time when the game was suspended after 13 minutes, Astori’s shirt number.

The defeat of Milan can benefit Roma (5th) who can join the Rossoneri in fourth place if they beat Juventus (7th) on Sunday evening. Atalanta Bergamo (6th) lost ground again in the battle for the C1 by conceding a draw (0-0) at home against Udinese.