Playing 10 People, Milan Back Top Of The Standings After Defeating Benevento 2-0

JAKARTA - AC Milan reclaimed the top of the Italian League standings after beating Benevento 2-0 on Monday morning WIB.

This position was occupied for a while by city rivals Inter Milan after a 6-2 win over Crotone.

However, the victory which was also won by Milan made them return to the top position with a collection of 37 points, according to the official Italian League page records reported by Antara.

For Benevento, the defeat kept them stuck in tenth position with a collection of 18 points.

The victory was even more special because Milan had to play with ten players from the 34th minute due to Sandro Tonali's red card. Milan were also penalized a penalty in the 61st minute, but Gianluca Caprari's shot failed to produce a goal.

Milan, still without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a penalty after Alessandro Tuia's foul on Ante Rebic made the referee point to the spot. Franck Kessie didn't waste an opportunity to bring his team the lead with his penalty kick.

Roberto Inzigne came close to equalizing, but his half-volley hit the near post.

In a duel for the ball, Tonali raised his leg so high that it hit Artur Ionita's knee. Referee Fabrizio Pasqua initially gave a yellow card, but after seeing the VAR record he decided to issue a red card.

Simply # ACMilan.Powered by @ gruppo_a2a #BeneventoMilan #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/6HvL1SFKaK

- AC Milan (@acmilan) January 3, 2021

Throughout the remainder of the first half, Milan held on to the death as goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made several important saves to defend his goal.

In the 49th minute the second half Milan double the lead. Goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipo exited the nest trying to catch Rebic's through ball, but Rafael Leao was quicker and while turning around he threw the ball into an empty net.

Benevento was awarded a penalty in the 61st minute when Rade Krunic fouled Pasquale Schiattarella in the box. Benevento executor Gianluca Caprari beat goalkeeper Donnarumma, but his shot went wide.

The hosts continued to waste several good chances, one of which was when Federico Barca volleyed just wide and when Donnarumma tipped off Gianluca Lapadula's strike.

Hakan Calhanoglu almost scored Milan's third goal, but his strike from a tight angle was tamed by the Montipo keeper.

Another win despite all the adversities! 👊❤️🖤Come iniziare bene il 2021. Dai Milan! 👊🔴⚫ # BeneventoMilan # SempreMilan @ emirates pic.twitter.com/8MdF35RwD2

- AC Milan (@acmilan) January 3, 2021

The composition of the players for the two teams:

Benevento (4-3-2-1): Lorenzo Montipo, Gaetano Letizia (Riccardo Improta 39 '), Alessandro Tuia (Daam Foulon 61'), Kamil Glik, Federico Barba, Pasquale Schiattarella, Artur Ionita, Perparim Hetemaj (Gabriele Moncini 46 '), Roberto Insigne (MArco Sau 82'), Gianluca Caprari (Giuseppe Di Serio 82 '), Gianluca Lapadula

Coach: Filippo Inzaghi

AC Milan (4-2-3-1): Gianluigi Donnarumma, Davide Calabria (Andrea Conti 81 '), Simon Kjaer (Pierre Kalulu 81'), Alessio Romagnoli, Diogo Dalot, Sandro Tonali, Franck Kessie, Brahim Diaz (Rade Krunic 36 '), Hakan Calhanoglu, Ante Rebic (Samuel Castillejo 70'), Rafael Leao

Coach: Stefano Pioli