AC Milan defeated host Cagliari 2-0 in the Italian League match at the Sardegna Arena on Saturday (11/1). Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored in this match.
Changes in formation by Stefano Pioli to 4-4-2 proved successful for AC Milan. The duo of two strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Rafael Leao were able to score the winning goal for AC Milan. Lelao scored in the 46th minute, while Ibra scored in the 64th minute.
The host opened the match an attack from Luca Cigairini in the 2nd minute, but he failed to send the ball because it was blocked by Ismael Bennacer. Meanwhile, AC Milan’s first opportunity came in the 18th minute. Hakan Calhanoglu provided a breakthrough from the left side to Theo Hernandez. The French defender took off a sharp left-footed strike, but could still be saved by Cagliari goalkeeper Robin Olsen.
AC Milan continued to press through the newly formed attacking duo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Rafael Leao. In the 31st minute, Leao sends a bait into the middle of the penalty box.
The ball was then greeted by Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a header, but the ball was only thin on Robin Olsen’s finger and only produced a corner kick.
A moment later, it was Rafael Leao’s turn to open the scoring if his side took advantage of a corner kick that did not get off the target.
Cagliari and Milan were both unable to break the deadlock. The attacks from both teams did not lead to a goal. Both teams must be satisfied with the goalless draw in the first round.
Playing goalless draw in the first half, Milan immediately stomped early in the second half. When the match began, Milan successfully thrilled the Cagliari goal through Rafael Leao’s goal.
The player with the back number 17 managed to receive a measured pass from Samuel Castillejo and immediately made a shot towards the goal. Leao kicks the ball against Fabio Pisacane so Cagliari goalkeeper Robin Olsen has difficulty reading the direction of the ball and is unable to stem the ball into the goal.
The success of scoring first goal in the second half increased the enthusiasm of Milan. Rossoneri finally managed to double the advantage in the 64th minute through Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Ibrahimovic shows his class as a top player with a deadly finish. Receiving a cross from Theo Hernandez, Ibrahimovic fired hard from a fairly narrow angle. The ball rolled freely without being able to hold by Olsen. This goal became his own achievement for Ibra, because he officially became a player who has been able to score in the last 4 decades.
Cagliari tried to pressure Milan to get a goal back but Milan’s defense appeared quite neat in the match. Ibrahimovic had even scored the second goal in the 82nd minute but the goal was disallowed because Ibrahimovic was considered offside. Score 2-0 last until the end of the game.
This victory is Milan’s inaugural victory in Serie A after in three previous matches they only won two draws. Not only that, two goals against Cagliari also made Milan end the fasting goal that has lasted for three matches.
AC Milan temporarily moved up to 7th in the Italian League with 25 points.
