AC Milan Stages Impressive Second-Half Comeback to Secure Draw with Fiorentina

AC Milan staged a remarkable comeback from a 2-0 deficit within the first 10 minutes to secure a 2-2 draw in a thrilling Serie A (SA) encounter against ACF Fiorentina, maintaining their solid home record of just one defeat in 17 matches (W8, D8).

Entering the match nine points behind the top four in the Serie A standings, the Rossoneri understood the urgency needed for a strong start against Fiorentina.

However, it was the away side that struck first, as Albert Gudmundsson’s pass across the six-yard box was inadvertently turned into the net by Malick Thiaw within just seven minutes.

Things went from bad to worse for Milan barely three minutes later, as Moise Kean scored from Dodo’s clever cut-back, marking his 17th league goal of the season.

With a two-goal mountain to climb, Sergio Conceicao’s men sought to regain composure after a disastrous beginning to the match.

While both Dodo and Gudmundsson threatened to increase La Viola’s lead further, it was Milan who found the net midway through the first half, with Tammy Abraham brilliantly finishing into the bottom corner after some excellent link-up play with Christian Pulisic.

This goal provided Milan with a much-needed foothold in the match before the interval, although clear-cut opportunities were scarce as Fiorentina headed into the break leading.

With momentum on their side, the Rossoneri surged forward at the start of the second half, yet David de Gea stood resolute in goal for the visitors, thwarting Abraham, Tijjani Reijnders, and Santiago Gimenez in quick succession with a series of outstanding saves.

Despite Milan’s relentless pressure, Mike Maignan was called into action at the opposite end, denying a low shot from Lucas Beltran, a critical stop that proved vital, as Luka Jovic coolly slotted home just a minute later to level the scores.

The frantic pace of the match showed no signs of abating as the game entered the final 25 minutes, with Maignan saving a close-range effort from Kean, while Theo Hernandez had a powerful strike blocked by de Gea at the other end.

Fiorentina looked more likely to snatch a late winner, and after a fierce attempt from Kean was saved by Maignan, La Viola thought they had clinched all three points when Dodo volleyed home, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.

This near miss proved to be the closest either team came to scoring in the dying moments, as Raffaele Palladino’s side missed the chance to achieve a head-to-head league double for the first time since 2001.