ROME, OCTOBER 23 (Xinhua) – AC Milan’s talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic played hero and villain on Saturday as Rossoneri dominated Bologna 4-2 away in Serie A.
The 40-year-old Swede got his first start in Serie A this season, as an injury crisis forced Milan to miss Mike Maignan, Franck Kessie, Ante Rebic and Alessandro Florenzi, while Theo Hernandez and Brahim Diaz tested positive for COVID-19.
Milan broke the deadlock in the 16th minute with a spectacular style when Ibrahimovic’s assist found Rafael Leao who sprinted down to the left to drill home from a tight angle.
It went from bad to worse for Bologna four minutes later when Adama Soumaoro looked red for pulling down Rade Krunic on the edge of the box.
Milan made it 2-0 in the 35th minute when Samu Castillejo’s attempt was blocked but Davide Calabria followed to release a missile.
However, the home team regained levels in just three minutes when Ibrahimovic accidentally scored an own goal in the 49th minute, before Musa Barrow finished with a first for the first time.
But Bologna got another blow as it was reduced to nine players when Roberto Soriano was sent off for stamping on Fode Ballo-Toure’s ankle.
Milan took advantage of the situation and restored the lead in the 84th minute with Ismael Bennacer’s blockbuster, before Ibrahimovic sealed the victory in the dying minutes.
Milan provisionally moved to the top with 25 points, one ahead of Napoli who visit Roma on Sunday.
In Saturday’s other matches, Empoli also beat Salernitana 4-2, while Sassuolo saw off Venezia with 3-1.
Source: sn.dk