Milan, fueled by French power, overcome Como and continue chase of Inter

The title race in Italy’s Serie A remains tight and intriguing. Massimiliano Allegri’s side emerged from a minor slump after two consecutive draws and secured a 3–1 victory away at tricky Como. The hosts took the lead in the first half, but the turning point of the match appeared to be the penalty awarded to the visitors. That moment made the task easier for them in the second half, allowing them to take control of the game and add two more goals.

Como showed their intent early on, as Marc Oliver Kempf narrowly missed the target in the 2nd minute with a left-footed effort from the center of the box following a set-piece situation. Their positive start was rewarded in the 10th minute, when Kempf made amends by opening the scoring. The defender rose highest inside the six-yard box to head home Martin Baturina’s precise cross from a corner, sending the home crowd into celebration.

Just three minutes later, Como came close to doubling their advantage, but Lucas da Cunha fired over the bar from a promising position in the box after another assist from the lively Baturina. Milan tried to respond and created their first real chance in the 20th minute, when Youssouf Fofana’s right-footed shot from the right side of the area drifted just wide, following good work by Saelemaekers.

Como continued to threaten and tested Milan goalkeeper Maignan on several occasions. In the 24th minute, Nico Paz forced Maignan into a comfortable save with a well-struck effort aimed at the left side of the goal, earning his side a corner. The young midfielder went even closer in the 32nd minute, but Maignan produced a fine save to deny Paz’s low shot from the edge of the penalty area that was heading on target.

Maignan was once again Milan’s savior in the 41st minute, pulling off a superb close-range save to stop Lucas da Cunha’s header after a dangerous cross, showcasing his top-class reflexes.

Just before the break, Milan were handed a lifeline. In the 44th minute, Kempf committed a clumsy foul inside the box, and referee Marco Guida pointed to the penalty spot. Christopher Nkunku stepped up and calmly converted from twelve yards to restore parity, sending the teams into halftime locked at 1–1.

Como came out strongly after the break and were immediately on the front foot. In the 51st minute, Nico Paz unleashed a powerful shot toward the right side of the goal, only for the Milan goalkeeper to produce a spectacular save and push the ball out for a corner.

Milan punished that missed opportunity just four minutes later. In the 55th minute, a swift counterattack proved decisive as Rafael Leao surged forward and picked out Adrien Rabiot, who finished confidently with his left foot from the left side of the box into the bottom right corner to give the Rossoneri a 2–1 lead.

The home side were inches away from responding almost instantly. In the 59th minute, Nico Paz tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area and saw his effort crash against the crossbar, denying Como what would have been a spectacular equalizer.

As the half wore on, the tempo dipped slightly, with fewer clear-cut chances. In the 74th minute, Maximo Perrone attempted a long-range effort, but his left-footed shot sailed over the bar.

Milan had a golden chance to put the game to bed in the 82nd minute, when Ruben Loftus-Cheek rose to meet a cross inside the box, but his header flew just over the crossbar.

Como refused to give up and came agonizingly close in the closing stages. In the 84th minute, Nico Paz produced a brilliant solo run, weaving past several defenders before firing a low shot toward the left corner, only to be denied once again by a superb save from the Milan goalkeeper.

The final say in the match belonged to the scorer of the second goal, Adrien Rabiot. What a stunning moment it was—the AC Milan midfielder picked up the ball and unleashed a powerful strike from long range, a decision that proved inspired as the shot nestled into the bottom-right corner. Jean Butez could only watch on in disbelief, and the scoreboard was updated to 1–3.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 16

Wednesday

Napoli - Parma 0-0

Inter - Lecce 1-0 (0-0)

/Esposito 78/

Thursday

Verona - Bologna 2-3 (1-3)

/Orban 13, Freuler 71 og - Orsolini 21, Odgaard 29, Castro 43/

Como - Milan 1-3 (1-1)

/Kempf 10 - Nkunku 45+1 pen, Rabiot 55, 88/