Rafael Leão delivers a brilliant brace to lead Milan past Fiorentina and back to the top of Serie A, as Stefano Pioli’s return to San Siro ends in defeat.
AC Milan climbed back to the summit of Serie A with a 2–1 comeback victory over Fiorentina at San Siro, inspired by a dazzling performance from Rafael Leão. The Portuguese star scored twice — including a decisive penalty — to overturn Robin Gosens’ opener and hand the Rossoneri a crucial three points.
The match started with a cautious rhythm, reflecting the tense situations both managers found themselves in. Allegri’s Milan were dealing with several absences, while Pioli — returning to face his former club — could ill afford another poor result. The first half offered little excitement, as both sides struggled to break through well-organized defenses. Pavlovic squandered Milan’s best chance, slicing wide from close range, while Leão and Kean both looked isolated in attack.
Fiorentina struck first just after halftime. From a corner, Fagioli found Ranieri at the far post, and a messy rebound off Maignan and Gabbia fell kindly to Gosens, who tapped in from close range. But Milan responded almost immediately through their talisman. In the 63rd minute, Leão cut inside from the left and curled a precise right-footed shot past De Gea to level the score.
The momentum shifted completely toward Milan, and Gimenez — brought on early in the second half — nearly gave them the lead, forcing De Gea into a spectacular save. The breakthrough finally came in the 81st minute, when Parisi’s high hand struck Gimenez in the box. After a VAR review, referee Marinelli pointed to the spot. Leão stepped up confidently and sent De Gea the wrong way for his first-ever goal from the penalty spot — and his second of the night.
The win propels Milan to the top of the Serie A table, while Fiorentina remain mired in mid-table uncertainty and Pioli’s position grows increasingly precarious.
Match Report
Milan 2–1 Fiorentina
Scorers: 56’ Gosens (F), 63’ Leão (M), 86’ Leão (M, pen.)
Milan (3-5-1-1): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Athekame (57’ Gimenez), Fofana, Modric, Ricci, Bartesaghi; Saelemaekers (90’ De Winter); Leão (93’ Balentien).
Coach: Allegri
Fiorentina (3-5-1-1): De Gea; Pongracic, Marì, Ranieri; Dodò, Mandragora (87’ Sohm), Nicolussi Caviglia (87’ Dzeko), Fagioli, Gosens (70’ Parisi); Fazzini (70’ Gudmundsson); Kean (77’ Piccoli).
Coach: Pioli
Referee: Marinelli
Bookings: Athekame (M), Nicolussi Caviglia (F), Fofana (M), Tomori (M), Parisi (F), Ranieri (F)
Sent off: None
