Milan 2-0 Atalanta: Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns as Rossoneri make it four wins in a row

zlatan-ibrahimovic

Juan Musso’s own goal and Junior Messias’ late strike earned Milan a 2-0 win over Atalanta in Sunday’s Serie A contest.

Milan defeated Atalanta 2-0 at San Siro to move level on points with second-place Inter in a match that saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic make his first appearance in nine months.

Inter’s surprise 1-0 loss to Bologna on Sunday opened the door for Milan to pounce and make the most of a fourth successive win at home in all competitions.

Juan Musso’s own goal in the 25th minute – after Theo Hernandez volleyed a long-range volley past the keeper – put Stefano Pioli in the way.

The home side, who also had fit-gain goalkeeper Mike Maignan back in their squad for the first time since September, added a deserved second through Junior Messias late on after Ibrahimovic’s long-awaited return.

There was a touch of luck in Milan’s opener as Hernandez’s stunning strike from 25 yards was helped over the line by Musso after the ball hit the post.

Rafael Leao clipped the side netting, fired from a great position before being denied by a fine save from Musso as Milan looked to really assert their dominance.

Messias was another Milan player to shoot off target with plenty of goals to aim for, which was evident the moment Pioli turned on Ibrahimovic.

The home side finally ended the game with Messias’s short-handed finish over Musso four minutes after he had been played in by Leao.