Spezia stun Milan at home to boost Serie A survival hopes
Milan headed to Liguria wounded by a bruising Champions League semi-final first-leg defeat to Inter Milan on Wednesday, and their focus here was on securing a place in the competition again next season.
Stefano Pioli would have been looking for a reaction from his side in what is an increasingly fraught battle for the top four, and they came within inches of producing a perfect start when Sandro Tonali’s shot cannoned off the post.
Down the other end, Spezia's M'Bala Nzola flashed an effort wide from Arkadiusz Reca’s cross. Milan were slowly ramping up the pressure, as Theo Hernandez rifled in a ferocious long-range strike that was tipped over the bar by Bartlomiej Dragowski as half-time approached.
Within six minutes of the restart, Milan were denied what looked like a clear penalty when Brahim Diaz was shoved down in the box by Salvatore Esposito. Amazingly, this was not picked up by the VAR and the Spaniard received a harsh yellow card for simulation.
It was an evening where the officials were adding to the narrative, as a member of the Spezia goalkeeping coach Fabrizio Lorieri was shown a straight red card for time-wasting. A bemused-looking Lorieri was given his marching orders after refusing to give the ball back to Pierre Kalulu for a throw-in.
This was a stoic display from Leonardo Semplici’s men, who were holding firm against a Milan side running out of ideas in their desperate need for three points. Any attacking threat from the hosts came through Nzola, who was denied by Mike Maignan after the forward was played through on goal by Emmanuel Gyasi.
But there was a lift-off inside the ground, as Kelvin Amian’s header hit the woodwork from Esposito’s corner and Przemyslaw Wisniewski scored with a superb improvised finish on the rebound to stun the Rossoneri in the 75th minute.
That lead was doubled thanks to Esposito’s stunning free-kick - his first Spezia goal and one worthy of sealing any contest.
Anyone other than the most ardent Rossoneri supporter would not begrudge the Aquilotti all three points after showing more grit and determination than their illustrious opponents. Only goal difference is currently keeping Semplici’s side in the bottom three, although Hellas Verona have a game in hand.
Meanwhile, Milan have won only one of their last five games in all competitions and stay fifth - two points behind Inter having played a game more.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Przemyslaw Wisniewski (Spezia)
