Struggling To Beat Sampdoria, Milan Are Back Away From Inter At The Top Of The Standings

AC Milan against Sampdoria (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - AC Milan must work hard to beat the hosts Sampdoria with a score of 2-1 in the tenth round match of the Italian League at the Luigi Ferrris Stadium, Genoa, Sunday local time.

The victory made Milan again maintain a distance from their opponents at the top of the standings. The Rossoneri are top of the table with 26 points, five ahead of second-placed Inter Milan. Meanwhile, Sampdoria remains in 12th position, Antara notes on the official Italian League website.

Sampdoria, who wore a special shirt to mark the 120 years since the founding of the club Andrea Doria, who merged with Sampierdarendese in 1946, created the first opportunity. Lorenzo Tonelli's header from close range forced goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to punch the ball acrobatically.

Milan threatens back. Ante Rebic was sure he would score his first goal of the season in the 38th minute after tricking goalkeeper Emil Audero to direct the ball into an empty net, but the ball was swept away by Lorenzo Tonelli before crossing the line.

The deadlock-breaking goal for Milan was only created in the 45th minute. Jakub Jankto jumped with his hands raised and hit Theo Hernandez's header in the forbidden box. Milan received a penalty and Franck Kessie, who acted as the executioner, carried out his duties perfectly.

Milan nearly doubled their lead early in the second half when substitute Jens Petter Hauge found Sandro Tonali, Tonali's out-of-foot shot past Audero but still hit the far post.

Sampdoria tried to get back from the pressure and threatened with Morten Thorsby's header from Antonio Candreva's cross which still bounced over the Milan crossbar.

As Blucerchati locked Milan down, Samu Castillejo came on as a substitute and scored with his first touch in the 77th minute. Hauge rolls the ball at Rebic, who sends it for Castillejo to convert it into a goal.

Sampdoria was only able to reduce the deficit in the 82nd minute. Starting from Candreva's corner, Albin Ekdal threw it at the near post and the ball crossed the line before Donnarumma pushed it out.

Ekdal came close to equalizing with the last kick of the match, but his header which kept Candreva's cross went wide of the net.

Milan have the chance to maintain the gap with Inter when they host Parma in the 11th round next week, while Sampdoria will host Napoli this Sunday.

The composition of the players for the two teams:

Sampdoria (4-4-2): Emil Audero, Bartosz Bereszynski (Omar Colley 20 '), Lorenzo Tonelli, Tommaso Augello (Mehdi Leris 82'), Antonio Candreva, Morten Thorsby, Adrien Silva (Albin Ekdal 46 '), Jakub Jankto (Mikkel Dasgaard 46 '), Manolo Gabbiadini (Antonino La Gumina57'), Fabio Quagliarella

Coach: Claudio Ranieri

AC Milan (4-2-3-1): Gianluigi Donnarumma, Davide Calabria, Matteo Gabbia, Alessio Romagnoli, Theo Hernandez, Sandro Tonali, Franck Kessie, Alexis Saelemaekers (Samuel Castillejo 76 '), Hakan Calhanoglu (Rade Krunic 90') , Brahim Diaz (Jens Petter Hauge 46 '), Ante Rebisc

Coach: Stefano Pioli