Serie A: Milan Edges Monza Amidst Leao Drama

Reijnders Saves Milan from Crisis

Monza squandered another chance in the 15th minute when Daniel...

Milan secures crucial victory over Monza despite Rafael Leao's benching.

Milan secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Monza on Sunday, thanks to Tijjani Reijnders' second-half header.

The Rossoneri were desperate for a win after losing two of their last three Serie A games to Fiorentina and Napoli. Coach Paulo Fonseca made a bold decision by dropping Rafael Leao to the bench for the third consecutive match.

Theo Hernandez and Reijnders returned from suspension, while Christian Pulisic overcame flu symptoms to start. However, Matteo Gabbia, Luka Jovic, Ismael Bennacer, and Alessandro Florenzi remained sidelined due to injuries.

Monza, on the other hand, had only one victory this season and was without key players Stefano Sensi, Samuele Birindelli, Andrea Petagna, and Alessio Cragno. Matteo Pessina was only fit for the bench.

The hosts thought they scored early, but the referee disallowed Dany Mota Carvalho's goal due to an earlier foul by Bondo on Theo Hernandez. The decision was made by the official, but it's unlikely VAR would have changed the verdict.

Monza squandered another chance in the 15th minute when Daniel Maldini drilled wide from Pedro Pereira's pull-back.

At the other end, Noah Okafor wasted an opportunity for Milan with a weak finish after Pablo Mari gave the ball away while building out from the back.

Maldini tested Mike Maignan from the edge of the area, but the goalkeeper made a sensational one-handed reaction save on Pedro Pereira's header from Giorgos Kyriakopoulos' cross.

Maldini also clipped the inside of the far post with an angled drive, but it wouldn't have counted due to Milan Djuric's offside position in the build-up.

Milan took the lead on the counter when Pulisic's cross from the right found Alvaro Morata, whose header was charged down by Armando Izzo, but Reijnders nodded in the rebound.

After the restart, Pulisic's cross only grazed Morata's head, and Reijnders tested Stefano Turati on the resulting corner.

Rafael Leao was introduced in the 63rd minute and immediately scuffed wide after combining with Reijnders.

Theo Hernandez stung Turati's gloves with a ferocious solo effort and made a crucial defensive header to prevent Danilo D'Ambrosio from nodding in Kyriakopoulos' cross.

Samuele Vignato couldn't keep his volley on target, and Morata nodded a Theo Hernandez free kick over the bar.

Rafael Leao rode three tackles to burst into the box but scuffed the finish straight at Turati.

Milan held on for a vital victory, moving them up the Serie A table.