Fiorentina 1 : 2 AC Milan - Milan three-points clear at top

Posted Sunday, April 10, 2011 by PA

AC Milan re-established a three-point lead at the top of Serie A with a 2-1 win at Fiorentina, but the win came at a price with Zlatan Ibrahimovic picking up his second red card in his last two games.

Clarence Seedorf put the Rossoneri in front in the eighth minute and Alexandre Pato doubled their lead before the break.

Ibrahimovic missed two chances to seal the win before Juan Vargas gave the Viola hope in the 79th minute.

The Swedish international striker was then given his marching orders with a straight red card which could see him miss up to three more of Milan's last six games of the season, matches in which Milan will look to defend their three-point advantage over Napoli at the top of Serie A.

Seedorf wore the captain's armband in the absence of Gennaro Gattuso, and it seemed to give him a lift.

He was at the heart of all of the action, going close to scoring in the second minute when his powerful shot was saved by Artur Boruc, who then dropped Seedorf's cross from the rebound, but no Milan player was close enough to take advantage.

Seedorf then put Milan ahead with an exquisite finish.

Ibrahimovic tried to feed Seedorf and the ball bounced up to Pato, who headed it into the Dutchman's path, and he hit a dipping volley into the top left-hand corner, leaving Boruc no chance.

Seedorf then created a chance for Pato, who only had Boruc to beat, but placed his shot too close to the Fiorentina goalkeeper in the 11th minute.

Pato doubled Milan's advantage in the 41st minute, adding the finishing touch from seven yards to a move which involved both Ibrahimovic and Kevin-Prince Boateng.

Ibrahimovic then missed two gilt-edged chances to put the result beyond doubt, shooting wide of goal with two one-on-ones in as many minutes.

Those misses almost proved costly too.

Vargas brought Fiorentina back into the game 11 minutes from the end when Riccardo Montolivo's shot came out to him on the edge of the area and his shot deflected past Christian Abbiati off Gennaro Gattuso.

Ibrahimovic, making his return after a two-game suspension, was shown a straight red card for something he said to the linesman in the 87th minute and the Viola searched in vain to take advantage against 10 men as Milan held on.