AC Milan secured their first Serie A win of the season, dismantling Venezia 4-0 at the San Siro. The Rossoneri, after a disappointing start to the campaign, delivered a dominant display with four goals in the opening 28 minutes. The victory not only lifted the pressure off Paulo Fonseca's team but also saw several players breaking records.
Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic were the stars of the show, combining to orchestrate a devastating attack. Leao, who returned to the starting lineup after being left out against Lazio, showcased his talent with a stunning backheel assist for Theo Hernandez's opening goal, his 11th assist in Serie A since the start of last season. Pulisic, on the other hand, was involved in three goals, providing the assist for Gabbia's second goal and scoring a penalty for Milan's third. He has now provided 10 assists in Serie A since the start of last season.
Key Highlights from the Match
Here are some of the key highlights from the match that contributed to AC Milan's resounding victory:
Early Dominance
AC Milan wasted no time in asserting their dominance, scoring the opening goal within the first two minutes of the game. Theo Hernandez, returning to the starting lineup after being left out against Lazio, scored a spectacular goal thanks to Leao's brilliant backheel pass. This was the fastest goal AC Milan has scored in Serie A since November 2022. This early lead gave the Rossoneri a significant psychological advantage over their opponents, setting the tone for a dominant performance.
Impressive Goal-Scoring Spree
After Theo Hernandez's opening goal, the goals kept flowing for AC Milan. Matteo Gabbia, who replaced Fikayo Tomori in the starting lineup, scored the second goal from a corner kick. This was Gabbia's first goal for AC Milan, further highlighting the team's attacking prowess. The third goal came from the penalty spot, with Christian Pulisic converting confidently. Finally, Tammy Abraham completed the scoring with a penalty of his own in the 28th minute, marking a return to form for the striker.
Dominant Statistics
The 4-0 victory over Venezia wasn't just about the goals; it was about the overall dominance that AC Milan exhibited. Here are ten statistics that illustrate the Rossoneri's dominance:
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AC Milan's four goals in the first 30 minutes of a Serie A match was their first since 1958.
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It was their first Serie A win and clean sheet since April 2023.
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AC Milan scored two penalty goals in the first half for the first time since 2008.
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Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic are the top two players for assists in Serie A since the start of last season.
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Theo Hernandez has scored more goals against Venezia than any other team.
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Christian Pulisic has both scored and provided an assist in a single Serie A match for the second time in his career.
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Four of Youssouf Fofana's 10 goals in the Top-5 European leagues have come since the start of March.
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AC Milan scored in the first two minutes of a Serie A match for the first time since November 2022.
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Tammy Abraham has been involved in a goal in two consecutive Serie A appearances for the first time since January 2023.
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Rafael Leao has provided four assists for Theo Hernandez in Serie A.
A Turning Point for AC Milan?
This emphatic victory over Venezia could prove to be a turning point for AC Milan. It instilled confidence in the team and demonstrated their attacking potential. The Rossoneri will be hoping to build on this momentum as they head into a crucial Champions League fixture against Liverpool.
While the performance was impressive, the team will need to consistently maintain this level of intensity and focus if they are to contend for the Serie A title this season. However, the 4-0 win has shown that AC Milan has the firepower and the potential to challenge the top teams in the league.
What's Next?
With the team finally showing signs of their true potential, AC Milan fans will be hoping that this victory signals a new era of success for the Rossoneri.
