AC Milan 3-0 Monza: Hosts claim easy win to keep Internazionale and Juventus in sights in Serie A

Teenager Jan-Carlo Simic came off the bench to score on his debut as AC Milan beat Monza 3-0 at home in Serie A.

Despite their injury list, the Rossoneri began well and took an early lead courtesy of a brilliant solo goal from Tijjani Reijnders who twisted past four players before stabbing the ball into the net.

The visitors had some decent chances with Lorenzo Colombo having three efforts charged down, while Oliver Giroud missed a sitter at the other end when heading over.

Tommaso Pobega was forced off with a knock to add to Milan's injury list with 18 year old Simic coming on for his first game for the club - and he made it a Sunday to remember after converting Rafael Leao's low cross.

The second half was largely one-way traffic with Stefano Pioli's side creating a number of chances with Christian Pulisic going close.

And the home side made it 3-0 when substitute Noah Okafor completed a lovely one-touch move to score from Giroud's assist, although the good vibes were softened when the Switzerland international limped off minutes later with a suspected thigh injury.

The result means Milan stay in third and close the gap on leaders Internazionale to six points while Monza slip to 11th place in the table.

Watched by his parents in the crowd at the San Siro, youth player Jan-Carlo Simic put his name in Milan folklore after sliding in at the far post to convert Leao's cross barely 20 minutes after coming on for his debut. A decent finish for a defender.

A goal on your debut after coming on midway through the first half, helping your side to a clean sheet and a win, and coming close to scoring a second goal from a corner. A day to remember for the 18-year-old.

AC Milan: Maignan 8, Florenzi 8, Kjaer 8, Tomori 6, Theo Hernandez 6; Loftus-Cheek 5, Reijnders 8, Pobega n/a; Pulisic 7, Leao 7; Giroud 5. Subs: Simic 8, Okafor, Bennacer n/a, n/a, Bartesaghi n/a, Chukwueze n/a.

Monza: Di Gregorio 7, D’Ambrosio 7, Caldirola 6, A Carboni 6; Pereira 6, Pessina 5, Gagliardini 6, Kyriakopoulos 5; Colpani 5, Mota Carvalho 5; Colombo 5. Subs: Maric 6, Ciurria 6, Akpa-Akpro n/a, Carboni n/a, Izzo n/a.

4' GOAL! AC Milan 1-0 Monza (Reijnders): Reijnders twists through five Monza players and pokes it through the keeper's legs.

27' WHAT A SAVE! The veteran FLorenzi lets fly from around 30 yards out, his worldie of a shot is heading towards the top corner only for Di Gregorio flew to palm it away.

41' GOAL! AC Milan 2-0 Monza (Simic): Around 20 minutes after coming on, Simic converts Leao's cross from close range after sliding in!

76' GOAL! AC Milan 3-0 Monza (Okafor): Okafor off the bench nets with the inside of the right boot from close range after Giroud's deft assist.

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