Monza 4-2 AC Milan - Late drama as jubilant hosts stun 10-man ...

AC Milan’s fine start to 2024 was ended as they slipped to a shock 4-2 defeat against Lombardy-based rivals Monza, leaving the Rossoneri in third place in Serie A, two points behind Juventus and 11 behind leaders Inter.

A drab first half sprung into life during stoppage time as a much-changed Milan side were punished twice in quick succession.

A clumsy Malick Thiaw challenge gave Monza a penalty on 45 minutes, allowing captain Matteo Pessina to coolly slot home and give the hosts a surprise lead.

As Milan pushed for an equaliser before the break, they were caught out again as Dany Mota doubled the lead six minutes into added time following a lightning quick counter-attack by Monza.

After a triple substitution at half-time, Milan looked much more like themselves but their task was made more difficult after Luka Jovic was dismissed for a petulant off the ball scuffle.

However, with Christian Pulisic, Olivier Giroud on the field, Milan made a game of it as former set up the latter to half the deficit on 64 minutes.

The comeback was finally completed on 88 minutes as Pulisic cut inside and smashed an effort into the top corner. But, the celebrations were short lived as moments later, Warren Bondo curled in a superb strike to restore the home side’s lead in stoppage time.

A historic night for the hosts was rounded off by Lorenzo Colombo in the dying seconds as he smashed home to leave his parent club with their first Serie A defeat of the year.

The win was Monza’s first against AC Milan in the top-flight and their first against top-half opposition this season.

Following their European exploits, a much-changed Milan side tasted league defeat for the first time in 2024 tonight, raising further questions on if this squad can compete on multiple fronts.

The team has already looked thin throughout the season, with Theo Hernandez often filling in at centre-back, and Pioli will have to be sure that any run in Europe doesn’t drag Milan into a dogfight for UEFA Champions League qualification.

The captain literally got the ball rolling for the home side as he calmly dispatched the penalty which gave Monza their first lead. Beyond that he was a constant presence in the midfield and very rarely gave the ball away.

His experience in the top-flight was on show as he marshalled his side through an up and down game, slowing it down when needed. The Italian international even capped of his performance with an assist for the final goal.

Monza: Di Gregorio 6, Izzo 7, Mari 6, A. Carboni 7, Biridelli 7, Pessina 9, Gagliardini 7, Mota 8, Colpani 7, V. Carboni 6, Djuric 5, Subs: Sorentino 6, Bondo 7, Colombo 6, Pereira 6, Maldini 5.

AC Milan: Maignan 5, Florenzi 6, Thiaw 4, Gabbia 5, Hernandez 6, Bennacer 6, Adli 5, Chukwueze 5, Loftus-Cheek 6, Okafor 4 Jovic 2, Subs: Reijnders 6, Leao 6, Pulisic 8, Giroud 7, Musah 6.

45’ GOAL! MONZA 1-0 AC MILAN (PESSINA) - A cooly taken penalty from Pessina who gives Monza a surprise lead by just rolling the ball down the centre of the net.

50’ GOAL! MONZA 2-0 AC MILAN (MOTA) - ITS TWO FOR THE HOSTS! Again, out of nothing, Milan give the ball away on the half way line and Monza break quickly. A great bit of Colpani to beat a few men before he ties up Dany Mota who curls the ball perfectly passed Maignan

52’ RED CARD AC MILAN (JOVIC) - From bad to worse for Milan as Jovic yellow is upgraded to a red card for an off the ball scuffle!

64’ GOAL! MONZA 2-1 AC MILAN (GIROUD) - Who else but Giroud!? Milan's main goal scorer does it again with a vintage finish as he react quickly to stab a cross home into the bottom corner.

88’ GOAL! MONZA 2-2 AC MILAN (PULISIC) - What a goal by the American! He cuts inside from the right and fires a curling shot into the top corner. Fantastic from the winger.

90’ GOAL! MONZA 3-2 AC MILAN (BONDO) - Wow!! What a strike by Bondo who curls it into the top corner from the edge of the box just moments after the restart. The linesman intially ruled it out but after a VAR review the goal is given and Monza lead again!

95’ GOAL! MONZA 4-2 AC MILAN (COLOMBO) That will clinch it! A goal against his parent club and a great strike. Monza catch Milan out who threw bodies forward. It's laid off to Colombo who drills it near post.