Hakan Calhanoglu and Theo Hernandez scored as AC Milan climbed back up to second with a crucial victory over Benevento on Saturday night.
Having suffered back-to-back defeats and subsequently dropping out of the top four for the first time this season, the pressure was on Stefano Pioli’s side to turn the tide.
Welcome back, Captain! ????
Bentornato Capitano! ????#MilanBenevento #SempreMilan@gruppo_a2a pic.twitter.com/VvMqVzinL9
— AC Milan (@acmilan) May 1, 2021
They made the perfect start as Calhanoglu scored after just six minutes following a clever dummy by Franck Kessie.
Having spent a spell on the sidelines, Zlatan Ibrahimovic almost marked his return to action with a goal but was repelled by Lorenzo Montipo on three separate occasions as the visiting shot-stopper almost single-handedly kept his side in the game.
Milan finally put daylight between the teams on the hour-mark. Ibrahimovic was once again denied by Montipo but this time he could only parry it into the path of Theo Hernandez, who was left with the easiest of finishes.
3 points, 2 goals and a clean sheet. Good start to the month ????
Si torna a vincere a San Siro: tre punti importanti! ????#MilanBenevento #SempreMilan@emirates pic.twitter.com/xZHsWNnyeZ
— AC Milan (@acmilan) May 1, 2021
Benevento had their moments, with substitute Roberto Insigne going closest, but ultimately Milan had too much quality.
The victory sees Milan climb above Juventus, Napoli and Atalanta into second. However, all of their rivals have yet to play this weekend.
