AC Milan fall against Fiorentina despite a very good Mike Maignan
Mike Maignan will however have been great. The French goalkeeper back last week after a five-month absence due to calf injuries, made multiple stops this Saturday evening when AC Milan moved to Fiorentina (1-2). But he had to bow to a penalty from Nicolas Gonzalez (49th), obtained by another 2021 French champion with LOSC, Jonathan Ikoné, then to a header from Luka Jovic at close range at the end of the game (87th). This setback prevents the Lombards from regaining second place in Serie A, recovered the day before by Lazio.
Maignan avoided a rout of his own, as the Tuscans were above throughout the meeting. He first repelled a free kick from Bonaventura (12th), he did not take any risks on a shot with a vicious rebound from Gonzalez (18th), before diverting an off-center recovery from the Argentinian (19th). He was then successful, since he slowed down a shot from Bonaventura with his foot, which allowed Tomori to save on his line (25th).
The Milanese took more than half an hour to be dangerous, Giroud volleying a magnificent opening in depth from Bennacer, without however really worrying Terracciano (32nd). The ex-Montpelliérain was one of the five French starters with Maignan, Hernandez, captain in difficulty before the break, Kalulu and the Florentine Ikoné.
Decisive Ikoné
It is therefore thanks to the latter that the Tuscans obtained a penalty, the ex-Lillois being retained by the jersey in the area after a superb feint of body. Maignan, this time, could do nothing, caught on the wrong foot (49th). This opener had the merit of waking up AC Milan. Giroud, again, placed a beautiful header diverted by Terraciano (51st).
The goalkeeper then won his duel with Hernandez (57th), well launched in depth. Pioli replaced Giroud with Zlatan Ibrahimovic but it was still Maignan who stood out, against Dodo (75th) then on a header from Jovic (81st), before losing to the Serb. In additional time, Hernandez reduced the gap with a strike as magnificent as it was useless (90th + 5).
Fiorentina was therefore able to pay tribute to its former captain Davide Astori, who died just five years ago. The match was interrupted for a minute of applause in his memory.
