Calhanoglu masterclass sends AC Milan into Europa League group stage

Date: 20th May 2018 at 7:58pm
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A ruthless AC Milan came from a goal down to usurp Fiorentina 5-1 at the Stadio San Siro and claim an automatic place in next season’s Europa League.

Milan needed victory to ensure European football next year, with Fiorentina hoping for a win and eight goal swing as well as an Atalanta defeat in Cagliari. None came.

Giovanni Simeone bagged the opener for La Viola, to give them at least some hope. However, a Hakan Calhanoglu masterclass was too much for the visitors.

The Turk bagged an equaliser three minutes after the Fiorentina goal, then laid on Patrick Cutrone for a diving header, and assisted Milan’s fourth, with the 20-year-old striker getting two before being taken off to a standing ovation. Giacomo Bonaventura added a magnificent fifth with 15 minutes left to play.

The first chance came the way of Milan as Franck Kessie found himself in on goal, but his strike was saved by Marco Sportiello, with Suso’s follow up blasted wide.

Again Sportiello had to be alert as Nikola Kalinic had an effort punched clear, only for Giacomo Bonaventura to unleash a low drive which was blocked by Nikola Milenkovic.

Somewhat against the run of play, Simeone got on the end of a wonderful through ball by Federico Chiesa, to then dink the ball over Gianluigi Donnarumma and into the net.

The lead lasted just three minutes as Calhanohlu had Milan back on level terms with a curling freekick into the far corner.

A quick counter attack saw Bonaventura play Kessie in on goal, but a poor first touch from the Frenchman allowed Sportiello to get to the ball first.

Then, just before the break Milan took the lead, a lovely low cross from Calhanoglu found Cutrone at the near post, and a diving header into the far corner beat Sportiello.

Four minutes after half time Milan extended their lead. A deep cross was swung into Cutrone at the back post, his close range header was saved by Sportiello, but Kalinic was in the right place to poke home the rebound.

It was four just before the hour mark as a wasteful Fiorentina gave the ball to Milan on the halfway line and Calhanoglu found Cutrone, who had galloped down the right,and he cut inside before slotting in at the near post.

Cutrone had the ball in the back of the next once more but it was ruled out for offside, before then being substituted to a standing ovation from the San Siro crowd.

To cap things off for the Rossoneri, Bonaventura smashed number five in from the edge of the area after dribbling through the Fiorentina midfield.

 

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