Adrien Rabiot delivered a decisive individual performance to ensure AC Milan remain firmly in the Serie A title race, scoring twice in a 3-1 victory away to an impressive Como side on Thursday night. The result keeps Milan three points adrift of leaders Inter Milan, with a match that carried a strong French imprint throughout.
The France international struck in the 55th minute before sealing the win late on with a powerful long-range effort, capping a display that proved the difference in a contest Milan largely spent under pressure. Rabiot was also instrumental in Milan’s equaliser, winning the penalty that Christopher Nkunku converted against the run of play just before half-time.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side extended their unbeaten league run to 19 matches, moving onto 40 points. While they remain three behind Inter, Milan also retain a three-point cushion over reigning champions Napoli, who were held by Parma on Wednesday and sit third.
The scoreline was harsh on Como, who remain sixth despite a performance that suggested greater rewards. Marc Oliver Kempf gave the hosts an early lead in the 10th minute and they continued to create chances throughout, only to be denied repeatedly by an outstanding display from Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Milan could have found themselves several goals down before Nkunku’s penalty had it not been for Maignan, whose sequence of saves kept the visitors alive during Como’s dominant spells. The French goalkeeper produced six stops in total, none more impressive than his point-blank denial of Luca Da Cunha moments before the penalty incident.
Nico Paz was also thwarted on multiple occasions, first when Maignan got fingertips to his fierce low drive and later when the Argentine midfielder struck the crossbar shortly after the hour mark as Como pushed for a deserved equaliser.
However, as Como continued to press without reward, Milan capitalised on their clinical edge. Rabiot’s first goal shifted the momentum, and his second — a thunderous effort from distance — effectively ended the contest, leaving Como goalkeeper Jean Butez, another Frenchman, with no chance.
Earlier in the evening, Bologna ended a seven-match winless run with an entertaining 3-2 victory at Verona, who slipped to the bottom of the table after suffering their 11th league defeat of the campaign.
Goals from Riccardo Orsolini, Jens Odgaard and Santiago Castro lifted Bologna into eighth place, moving them to within four points of Como, as their push for European contention gathered renewed momentum.
