AC Milan ran out emphatic 4-1 victors in their first-ever home clash with newcomers Monza in Serie A, seeing the Rossoneri secure a fourth straight win and close the gap behind leaders Napoli to one point.In the thick of what is shaping up to be another superb Serie A title race, the reigning champions knew victory over top-flight debutants Monza was the only option, and as expected, Milan flexed their muscles and jumped into the lead early on. Picking up the ball nearly at the centre-circle, Brahim Díaz went on a dazzling solo run before slotting home underneath the onrushing keeper, setting the San Siro alight within 20 minutes.The Rossoneri continued to pile the pressure on their visitors, and were rewarded for their efforts on the brink of halftime when Díaz collected the ball in the box before turning and firing home Milan’s second on the night. From that moment, it seemed a mere question of ‘how many’ for the champions, though they still had a long way to go in order to match their record Serie A win of 9-0, set against Palermo in 1951.While Monza pushed for a route back into the game, the quality of Milan shone through once again. After the ball found its way to Divock Origi on the edge of the box, the Belgian stepped into the space afforded by the Monza rearguard and lashed his shot into the back of the net, surely driving the final nail into the visitors’ coffin on their maiden top-flight trip to the San Siro.However, the Biancorossi did pull one back through second-half sub Flilippo Ranocchia, but it was too little too late as Milan answered back with their fourth in the dying minutes. Rafael Leão scored his fifth of the campaign to secure all three points for the hosts, and put the pressure back on first place Napoli. Meanwhile, Raffaele Palladino’s Monza remain hovering just above the relegation zone.SERIE A – MATCHDAY 11FridayJuventus – Empoli 4-0 (1-0)/Kean 8, McKennie 55, Rabiot 82, 90+4/Saturday Salernitana – Spezia 1-0 (0-0)/Mazzocchi 48/AC Milan – Monza 4-1 (2-0)/Diaz 16, 41, Origi 65, Leao 84 – Ranocchia 70/21.45: (3.50) Fiorentina (3.50) Inter (2.27)Sunday 13.30: (2.06) Udinese (3.40) Torino (3.90)16.00: (2.30) Bologna (3.20) Lecce (3.70)19.00: (2.14) Atalanta (3.50) Lazio (3.80)21.45: (3.00) Roma (3.40) Napoli (2.55)Monday 19.30: (2.60) Cremonese (3.25) Sampdoria (3.05)21.45: (2.01) Sassuolo (3.50) Verona (3.90)***odds are subject to change©FlashScore
