AC Milan 1-0 Fiorentina: Goalkeeping howler helps Milan's title bid
- Published
Rafael Leao celebrates the goal that earned AC Milan a crucial win against Fiorentina
AC Milan moved two points clear at the top of Serie A after a late goalkeeping howler gifted them a win against Fiorentina at San Siro.
Rafael Leao took advantage of an error from keeper Pietro Terracciano to fire in a low effort that kept Milan in the driving seat for their first league title since 2011.
"It was a final," said Leao. "Now we have to stay focused on our goal."
Closest rivals Inter Milan kept on their tails with a 2-1 win at Udinese.
After a goalless first half during which Milan failed to register a shot on target against Fiorentina, the hosts missed a gilt-edged chance to go ahead two minutes after the restart when Leao skied his shot from close range before Theo Hernandez's half-volley also sailed over.
Fiorentina almost grabbed a shock lead in the 75th minute but Arthur Cabral's header was brilliantly kept out by Mike Maignan before Leao made up for his earlier miss by calmly slotting past Terracciano.
The victory briefly saw Milan go five points clear in Serie A but goals from Ivan Perisic and Lautaro Martinez made sure that champions Inter Milan bounced back from Wednesday's defeat at Bologna to keep the gap to two points.
Elsewhere Leonardo Bonucci helped Juventus secure Champions League football with a double in their 2-1 win over Venezia, a result which also dealt a huge blow to the survival hopes of Serie A's bottom team.