Milan secure their third win on the bounce to start the Serie A season, defeating Spezia 3-0 at San Siro. After a goalless first half, the Rossoneri found their form in front of goal. Rafael Leao opened the scoring with a close-range finish, while Theo Hernandez notched a second. Leao ensured that his side would claim the victory with another tap-in 12 minutes from time. Stefano Pioli's men are off to an excellent start to their campaign.
Milan are next in action after the international break against rivals Inter at San Siro on October 17. Spezia return in two weeks against Fiorentina on home soil.
Thanks for joining our commentary this afternoon. Until next time, goodbye.
Cronaca
Formazioni
Statistiche
90'+3'
FULL-TIME: MILAN 3-0 SPEZIA19:53
90'+2'
The home side are keeping possession and look set to hold out for a clean sheet, which would be their third in a row to start the term.19:53
90'
There will be three minutes of added time.19:51
89'
Calabria surges into acres of space down the right and breaks into the inside channel. He cuts the ball back and Saelemaekers steps over it to allow Hauge to shoot. However, the midfielder fails to take it in stride and spurns the opening.19:49
88'
Hernandez looks at the referee after going down under pressure from Sala and Maggiore in the box, but the official is not interested.19:47
87'
Calhanoglu raids down the right flank and tries to force a low cross towards Maldini, but there are enough white shirts back to block the delivery.19:47
85'
Milan have played a lot of football of late. They can just sit on their lead here and play out the remaining minutes without having to force the issue.19:46
83'
Pioli opts to withdraw Leao for the closing stages of the game as Maldini replaces the forward.19:44
82'
SAVE! Leao and Calhanoglu combine on a brisk counter to tee up Hernandez in the left inside channel. He shoots with power towards the near post, but Rafael turns it behind with a solid stop.19:43
80'
Milan have found their cutting edge and there could be more goals there for them before the final whistle.19:41
78'
Kessie rises to produce a fine cushioned header from Saelemaekers' cross, picking out Leao to score.19:41
78'
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! LEAO NOTCHES HIS SECOND!!! 3-0 MILAN!! The Rossoneri put the game beyond doubt as Leao scores from close range with a tap-in. Saelemaekers raids down the right and digs out a cross to the back post. Kessie nods it down towards Leao in the six-yard box. The striker makes no mistake with a simple finish to add a second goal to his tally.
Bartolomei replaces Gyasi for the visitors in the final third.19:37
77'
Mora replaces Pobega for the visitors in the middle of the park.19:37
76'
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!! HERNANDEZ DOUBLES MILAN'S LEAD!!! 2-0!!!! The home side take a huge stride towards victory as Hernandez finds the bottom-right corner. He seizes on a loose pass from Sala down the left flank and he surges at the Spezia defence. Hernandez picks his spot and drills his effort across Rafael to find the back of the net. A fine solo strike.
Calhanoglu whips a dangerous cross in from the left flank from a corner, but the visitors are disciplined at the back to clear the danger.19:35
72'
Hauge is played into space down the left flank and he tries to force a low ball into the middle. However, Erlic closes to make an important block.19:32
71'
Hauge replaces Diaz in the Milan midfielder for the final quarter of the game.19:32
70'
Agudelo sends the resulting corner into the box towards the back post. Piccoli tries to steer it towards Pobega, but Calabria clears the danger for the home side.19:30
69'
Spezia win a free-kick on the right flank that Pobega tries to turn towards goal, but it deflects behind off Hernandez before travelling behind for a corner.19:29
66'
SAVE! Agudelo turns past the challenge of Diaz on the right flank and opens up space to shoot on his left foot. He powers a strike towards goal that Donnarumma has to turn over the bar.19:26
64'
Milan are not happy as Marchizza catches Saelemaekers with a stray arm. The referee takes no further action though.19:24
63'
Milan are looking to take the pace out of the game and build possession. They've been solid without being spectacular this afternoon.19:24
61'
The visitors cannot afford to give up after going behind. There's plenty of time left in the contest for them to force their way back to get a positive result.19:22
59'
Acampora comes on to the field in the middle of the Spezia midfield for Ricci.19:20
58'
Agudelo is on for the visitors in place of Verde on the right flank.06:25
58'
Kessie makes his way on to the field for Krunic.18:20
57'
Calhanoglu swings a delightful cross into the box for Leao to attack and convert from close range.19:19
57'
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!! LEAO PUTS MILAN AHEAD!!!!! The home side take the lead as Leao raids in at the back post to convert Calhanoglu's free-kick. The midfielder puts the ball on the money and it needs only a touch to guide it past Rafael. Leao is on the spot and converts on the slide with his left boot. A good finish to hand the Rossoneri the advantage.
Maggiore brings down Krunic 30 yards from goal, handing Milan a free-kick in a useful position.19:16
55'
The home side are still struggling to carve out space in the final third for a clear-cut opening. Spezia have defended extremely well.19:15
53'
Spezia win a corner down the right flank and Verde lifts the ball into a dangerous area. Donnarumma bails out his defence by wading through a crowd of players to claim the cross.19:13
51'
Marchizza gets forward down the left flank and whips a dangerous cross into the middle, but it evades the run of Piccoli arriving between Gabbia and Kjaer.19:12
50'
WIDE! Diaz shows his skills in the final third and he opens up space for a strike at goal, but he bends his effort wide of the target.19:10
48'
The visitors have space on the break as Gyasi finds Maggiore, but the offload from the midfielder to Verde in space on the right flank is poor. It allows Milan to get back and quell the danger.19:08
47'
Calhanoglu is late with his challenge on Maggiore and goes into the book. Not the introduction he was hoping for.19:07
46'
We're back underway at San Siro.19:06
46'
Calhanoglu replaces Colombo at the break for the home side.19:05
Daniele Verde has been the visitors' bright spark on the ball. He almost causes Davide Calabria to turn the ball into his own net before seeing a strike well saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma. If Spezia are to pull off a shock look to him to do it.19:04
It's goalless at the break between Milan and Spezia at San Siro. The home side have dominated possession and have had decent chances in front of goal, but they've lacked a clinical edge. Spezia have played on the counter and looked a threat at times. The game is in the balance.18:53
45'+3'
HALF-TIME: MILAN 0-0 SPEZIA18:49
45'+2'
Ricci lines up a drive from the edge of the Milan box, but he sends his effort wide of the target.18:49
45'
There will be two minutes of added time.18:47
45'
Kjaer takes a knock to the face and needs treatment before we can continue.18:47
45'
SAVE! Donnarumma has to be alert to turn Verde's strike past the post. Piccoli fends off a challenge and releases his team-mate into space. The winger takes a good first touch before firing at goal on his right foot. Donnarumma dives to his left to turn it past the post.18:46
44'
MISS! Colombo works hard in the right inside channel and he works the ball back to Saelemaekers on the edge of the box. The winger goes for power with his drive, but he sends his effort over the top.18:44
43'
OVER! Diaz has to hit the target from close range. Saelemaekers raids down the right flank and lifts a pinpoint cross into the box for Diaz to attack, but he can only guide his effort over the bar from six yards out.18:43
41'
Milan try a training-ground routine from the free-kick, with a flick to Hernandez. However, the visitors are wise to the trick and the left-back sees his effort charged down.18:41
40'
Gyasi goes into the book for pulling back Diaz on a surge upfield.18:41
40'
Diaz gets the wrong side of Gyasi and the forward pulls back the Milan man. The referee awards a free-kick in a dangerous position to the home side.18:40
39'
OVER! Diaz's first delivery is cleared back to the midfield, but he puts his second cross on the money. Gabbia rises to head at goal, but he glances his effort over the top.18:38
38'
Leao cuts inside from the left flank and opens up space for a strike on his right foot, but his effort is diverted behind for a corner.18:37
35'
Maggiore brings down Hernandez on the left flank. However, the flag goes up from the resulting free-kick from Diaz for an infringement in the Spezia box. The visitors get a chance to clear their lines.18:35
34'
BLOCK! Saelemaekers and Calabria combine down the right flank. The right-back sends a low ball into the middle for Colombo to attack, but Erlic makes a vital block to stop his strike.18:34
32'
Ricci goes into the book for a challenge on Diaz. 18:32
32'
Galabinov is walking off the pitch. It looks as though his involvement in the game is over.18:32
32'
Piccoli comes on to the pitch to replace Galabinov for the home side.17:33
31'
Verde scoops another cross into the box, but the Milan defence are on form to clear with a thumping header.18:30
30'
Galabinov runs at Kjaer and wins a corner for the visitors, although he moves gingerly after the fact. A concern for Spezia.18:31
28'
Spezia win a corner down the right flank and Verde whips a threatening cross into the middle, but the Rossoneri quell the threat well as Kjaer clears the danger.18:28
27'
Saelemaekers almost steals possession from Chabot, but the defender is on hand to produce a solid clearance on the slide ahead of the winger.18:26
25'
Diaz has been the focal point of Milan's play in the final third. He is getting into space, but has not found his cutting edge with his offloads yet.18:25
23'
Although Milan have seen a lot of the ball, the visitors are not backing down from the challenge this afternoon. Spezia are deploying the same fighting spirit they showed in midweek against Udinese.18:23
21'
SAVE! Calabria almost steers the ball into his own net. Verde bends a dangerous cross into the box from the right flank with his left foot. The right-back sticks out a boot to send it away from Pobega, but it heads towards the bottom-left corner. Donnarumma has to get down quickly to make the stop to prevent an own goal.18:28
19'
BLOCK! Diaz latches on to a deep cross from Hernandez on the left and tries to force a strike at goal from a tight angle, but his effort is repelled by Marchizza.18:18
18'
OVER! Kjaer comes forward from the back to strike the free-kick at goal, but he can only lift his strike well over the bar.18:17
17'
Diaz goes down under pressure from Ricci, handing Milan a free-kick in a dangerous position.18:16
15'
Hernandez has space on the left flank and he whips a low cross into the middle for Colombo, but Erlic gets ahead of the forward to clear the danger.18:15
14'
MIlan are seeing a lot of the ball in the final third, but the Spezia defence is holding firm against the pressure.18:14
12'
Verde tries to force his way through the middle of the Milan defence, but Gabbia holds firm amid the looming presence of the forward.18:13
10'
SAVE! Diaz presses forward through the middle and is invited to shoot by the Spezia defence, but he sends a tame effort straight at Rafael.18:11
9'
Gyasi tries to dispossess Calabria in the Milan box to set up a simple chance, but he fouls the defender in his attempt to snatch possession.18:09
8'
SAVE! Leao latches on to a deep cross to the back post from Calabria and lines up a strike on the half-volley, but Rafael holds firm to make a vital block.18:10
6'
Verde has a problem after the challenge from Hernandez and has to receive treatment.18:06
5'
Verde has space on the counter for the visitors and goes down under pressure from Hernandez, but there's no foul given by the referee.18:04
4'
Colombo latches on to an offload from Saelemaekers, but he sees his effort deflected behind for a corner.18:05
3'
Saelemaekers has a surge down the right flank and tries to pick out a team-mate, but his cross is cut out.18:03
1'
We're underway at San Siro.18:01
This is the first fixture in the Italian top-flight between AC Milan and Spezia; the Rossoneri won 3-1 in their only previous game against the Aquilotti in the Coppa Italia in January 2014.17:56
Spezia have made five changes to their side that beat Udinese during the week as Vincenzo Italiano rotates his side. Jeroen Zoet is injured and makes way for Rafael between the sticks. Claudio Terzi is suspended after being sent off during the week. There are three alterations to the defence as Sala, Erlic and Marchizza come into the side. Pobega gets the nod to start in the midfield ahead of Alessandro Deiola.17:55
Milan have made five changes to their side that triumped in the Europa League. Tonali and Krunic get the starts in the middle of the park as Bennacer and Kessie drop to the bench. Diaz, Leao and Colombo come into the side in the final third, with the latter leading the line. Maldini, Calhanoglu and Castillejo also drop to the bench.17:51
SPEZIA SUBS: Gennaro Acampora, Luca Mora, Lucien Agoume, Titas Krapikas, Paolo Bartolomei, Diego Farias, Simone Bastoni, Cristian Dell'Orco, Luca Vignali, Kevin Agudelo, Roberto Piccoli, Axel Desjardins.17:49
SPEZIA (4-3-3): Rafael; Jacopo Sala, Julian Chabot, Martin Erlic, Riccardo Marchizza; Tomasso Pobega, Matteo Ricci, Giulio Maggiore; Daniele Verde, Andrej Galabinov, Emmanuel Gyasi.17:46
MILAN SUBS: Ciprian Tatarusanu, Ismael Bennacer, Samu Castillejo, Hakan Calhanoglu, Jens Hauge, Pierre Kalulu Kyatengwa, Daniel Maldini, Franck Kessie, Antonio Donnarumma, Diego Laxalt.17:43
MILAN (4-2-3-1): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Davide Calabria, Simon Kjaer, Matteo Gabbia, Theo Hernandez; Sandro Tonali, Rade Krunic; Rafael Leao, Brahim Diaz, Alexis Saelemaekers; Lorenzo Colombo.17:42
Spezia secured their first Serie A win with a 2-0 triumph over Udinese last week. The newly-promoted side were given a lesson in their openerr, losing 4-1 at home to Sassuolo. They were extremely impressive last week to get off the mark, but this will be a tough test of their credentials in the top tier.17:38
Milan have enjoyed a good start to the season in all competitions by winning five matches on the bounce. They defeated Rio Ave on penalties during the week to advance to the next round of the Europa League. Stefano Pioli's men have started their Serie A campaign with victories over Bologna and Crotone without conceding a goal. The Rossoneri will be looking to continue their fine form today.17:56
Good afternoon and welcome to the live commentary of the Serie A clash between Milan and Spezia at San Siro.17:26
Dove si gioca la partita:
Stadio: Giuseppe Meazza Città: Milano Capienza: 80074 spettatori17:26
Milan - Spezia is a match of 3 day of the season Serie A 2019/2020. The match will be 4 october at 15:00 in the stadium Giuseppe Meazza in Milano. Referee of Milan - Spezia will be Marco Serra with the help of Rodolfo Di Vuolo e Edoardo Raspollini. At VAR there will be Paolo Valeri.
Currently Milan is 2° in the standings with 9 points (thanks of 3 wins, 0 draws and 0 defeats); while Spezia is 15° in the standings with 3 points (thanks of 1 vittoria, 0 pareggi and 2 sconfitte). Milan scored 7 goals and conceded 0; Spezia scored 3 goals and conceded 7.
At home Milan scored 6 points (2 wins, 0 draws and 0 losses). Away Spezia scored 3 points (1 win, 0 draws and 0 losses). Milan in the last three matches of the season challenged Bologna, Crotone and Spezi obtaining 9 points thanks to 3 wins, 0 draws and 0 losses. Spezia in the last two matches of the season challenged Sassuolo, Udinese obtaining 3 points thanks to 1 win, 0 draws and 1 loss. In the last match Milan was against Spezia winning 3-0 while Spezia was against Udinese winning 0-2. The best scorer of the team coached by Stefano Pioli is Zlatan Ibrahimovic with 2 goals while the best scorer of the team coached by is Andrej Galabinov with 3 goals.
Milan and Spezia is the first time that they face each other in the league.
These are the statistics of the two teams in the matches played in the season:
Where to see Milan-Spezia You can see the live match Milan-Spezia here on Virgilio Sport starting 15:00 CET of 4 october. Discover who will broadcast live Milan - Spezia between Sky and Dazn.
