Among other Serie A football news, Spezia came from behind to beat AC Milan 2-1 at San Siro on Monday. Relegation-battling Spezia, whom Emmanuel Gyasi scored a stunning 96th-minute winner for, have thus made a dent in Milan’s title hopes.
After this controversial match yesterday, Spezia climbed to 14th place on 22 points, six points clear of the relegation zone.
Theo Hernandez missed a penalty but in-form Milan winger Rafael Leao won the initial lead at the first half’s end. However, the visitors struck back through substitute Kevin Agudelo.
Junior Messias then thought that he had won it for the hosts when he curled home in stoppage time. But the referee’s whistle had already sounded for an earlier foul on Milan’s Ante Rebic. Later on, Spezia hit on the break to win it at the death time.
This decision left Milan furious as referee Marco Serra left hardly time for any advantage. Only around two seconds had passed between the foul on Rebic and Messias’ shot.
It was a missed opportunity for Pioli’s side, who went into the game knowing a win would send them top. But instead, AC Milan now remain two points behind leaders Inter Milan, who have a game in hand.
Prior to this, Milan had three consecutive league wins, despite missing a string of key players. Footballers are either out on injury or on Africa Cup of Nations commitments.
Serie A Football News – Spezia Came from Behind to Beat AC Milan 2-1
The hosts started strong as Leao, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexis Saelemaekers tested Ivan Provedel.
But the goalkeeper was at fault when he kicked Leao to concede a spot kick, from which Hernandez steered wide.
Within two minutes, Leao, rushing a long pass to guide a lob over the outrushing Provedel, put Milan in front.
Spezia improved after the break and had cause for celebration when Agudelo fired home from close range at 64 minutes.
Milan piled forward late on and thought they had won it with Messias’ curler. But the referee had called a free kick, which Ibrahimovic attempted, only to force another save from the impressive Provedel.
Spezia struck on the break in the final minute to clinch it when Viktor Kovalenko picked out Gyasi to finish.
