Kalinic tries to break down the right, but the debutant is quickly dispossessed. The work rate of the Croatian cannot be questioned, that's for sure. Not long until Milan are put out of their misery in Florence.
90'
There are two minutes of stoppage time at Stadio Artemio Franchi.
88'
Only a few minutes remain in Florence. Milan aren't keen to chase and Fiorentina don't want to give up their clean sheet. Kalinic tries to find Borja Valero on the right-hand side of the field, but the Croatia international puts the ball directly out of play. Not the best debut from the former Blackburn Rovers striker.
86'
Cerci is caught offside! The former Torino man is picked out by a lofted through ball, before attempting to lift a first-touch lob over the approaching Tatarusanu! The linesman's flag is raised, however. Moments later, Bonaventura fires high into the stands from 16 yards out!
84'
Borja Valero is fouled by Bonaventura, with a little bit of frustration perhaps creeping in for Milan. The hosts are holding onto the ball calmly and look to be very well drilled at the outset of the campaign. Sousa has his team playing neat football, but it still remains to be seen how they fare against a full-strength Serie A outfit for 90 minutes.
82'
The Rossoneri just can't seem to win the ball back from Sousa's men, with the home fans absolutely loving it. Cheers meet every single completed pass, with failed sliding tackles from Milan getting an even better reception. Party time in Florence, it seems.
81'
M. Fernández enters the game and replaces F. Bernardeschi.
80'
Bernardeschi is given a standing ovation as he leaves the field of play, with Mati Fernandez having 10 minutes to impress. Fiorentina win two successive corners, but neither come to anything. La Viola just appear keen to try and retain possession, with the visitors not having the manpower to do anything about it.
78'
A. Cerci enters the game and replaces C. Bacca.
Cerci is introduced in place of Bacca, with the Colombia international definitely not having the dream debut for the Rossoneri. Given that Mihajlovic's side have played the majority of this same with 10 men, however, 2-0 isn't the worst scoreline in the world.
76'
Less than a quarter of an hour remains for Milan to make this contest interesting. The fans are getting a little bit restless, given that La Viola haven't really been at their best for the last 20 minutes or so. Bernardeschi is tugged to the ground by De Jong, but Badelj is in no rush to take the free kick. All about winding down the clock now for Sousa's men.
Minute
Description
74'
Yet again, Diego Lopez opts to be calm in possession with the ball at his feet, but his distribution hasn't been fantastic. Bernardeschi tries to bend a cross in from the left-hand side, but it turns into more of a shot. Either way, it is terrible and sails over the crossbar for a goal kick.
72'
Astori commits a foul on Luiz Adriano, with Rossoneri able to load the box as a result! The home side are hesitant with their offside trap, meaning that Zapata is able to try his luck from close range! Play is then pulled back, however, as the linesman finally decides that some white shirts did stray the wrong side of their defenders.
70'
A. Nocerino enters the game and replaces A. Bertolacci.
Gilberto cuts in from the right-hand side, before trying his luck with a low drive! Diego Lopez is able to gobble it up with ease, before Mihajlovic looks to his bench. Bertolacci is replaced by Nocerino, with the away side clearly needing a bit of an injection of energy. The Rossoneri have battled with 10 men for 40 minutes, after all.
68'
Ilicic is replaced by Mario Suarez, with the former Atletico Madrid man definitely more defensively minded than the man he has taken to the field for. Sousa is allowing for Borja Valero is push on a little bit more as a result, a change which the former West Brom midfielder celebrates with a cheeky nutmeg.
67'
Mario Suárez enters the game and replaces J. Iličić.
66'
Less than half an hour remains for Fiorentina to see out, with Kalinic going a little bit quiet up top for La Viola. Sousa is getting a little bit more active on the sidelines, with Suarez being readied. The combative midfielder is getting some instructions and is capable of breaking up play should Milan try and get a foothold in the contest.
64'
Bonaventura is complaining that he was fouled by Rodriguez just inside the Fiorentina penalty box, but the referee isn't interested at all! Milan are looking a little bit more alive during the past five minutes, but they have a mountain to climb if they are to start the Serie A season in the best possible way.
62'
Mihajlovic comes onto the field of play to stamp down a huge divot, given that this pitch is cutting up a little bit. Fiorentina continue to exert all of the pressure, with Bacca and Luiz Adriano essentially looking as though they aren't a part of the rest of Milan's team. A diagonal pass bobbles into the hosts' penalty area, but Astori slides in brilliantly to prevent the latter from having a shot.
60'
Ilicic and Bernardeschi combine well again, before Gilberto is found on the right. The Brazilian curls in a cross, but Diego Lopez is able to claim and then look to kick start a counter. No real options are forthcoming, however, with Milan already appearing beaten in Florence. Bacca is nearly found by a looping cross, but the former Club Brugge striker can't rise high enough.
59'
D. Astori enters the game and replaces F. Roncaglia.
58'
F. Bernardeschi gets yellow.
Immediately, Diego Lopez is back in the thick of it! The former Real Madrid goalkeeper makes himself big to deny Kalinic, with Zapata tumbling over amidst the collision. Fortunately for the visitors, they aren't forced to pick the ball out of their own net again, with Mihajlovic's side able to keep this scoreline at a modest level.
56'
Penalty goal scored by J. Iličić for Fiorentina!
GOOOOOOOOAL! DIEGO LOPEZ IS BEATEN THIS TIME! The Fiorentina midfielder steps up confidently, slotting a low finish into the bottom-right corner to evade the dive of the goalkeeper! The hosts are 2-0 ahead and a comeback from the Rossoneri looks extremely unlikely.
55'
A. Romagnoli gets yellow.
PENALTY FOR FIORENTINA! Romagnoli is deemed to be the guilty party, after a couple of neat stepovers from Ilicic. The former Roma defender didn't appear to take a big chunk of his man, with the Slovenian making the most of it. However, there was enough contact for a penalty and the culprit gets a yellow card.
54'
Great save from Lopez! The Spaniard stands tall once again, after Bernardeschi slid a good through ball into Ilicic's path! The Slovenian midfielder can only force a stop from the goalkeeper, who uses his puffed-out torso to parry the effort away!
52'
Milan win themselves a throw in, with Antonelli able to take it quickly and receive a return pass. The former Genoa man beats Tomovic, before drilling in a cross, but Roncaglia clears behind for a corner. Tatarusanu fumbles his claim, but the loose ball falls to a purple shirt!
50'
After working the ball from left to right, De Sciglio is found with acres of space. The young Italy international lines up a strike, but sends the balll swerving high into the stands, before ruffling his hair in frustration. Moments later, Romagnoli is penalised for climbing on Kalinic's back. The former Dnipro forward is a magnet for fouls at the moment.
48'
Alonso is released down the left-hand side, with the goalscorer attempting to curl a dangerous cross in from the flank. Zapata slides in well to make a solid clearance, however, with Fiorentina threatening once again on the break. Despite being a man light, the Rossoneri have tried to retain possession composedly since the restart.
46'
We are back underway in the second half at Stadio Artemio Franchi! La Viola are both a goal and a man up, but there is plenty of action left in this contest. Mihajlovic's men have been second best, but Fiorentina need to tuck their chances away in order to get home safe and dry.
45'
J. Iličić gets yellow.
44'
More good work from Gilberto! The Brazilian clips a teasing cross into the box, which commits three players including Lopez to the ball! A blocked shot is the best that Fiorentina can muster from it, with the resulting corner easily cleared.
43'
Great tackle from Zapata! Gilberto hands up a good pass to Kalinic, who nods an unselfish knockdown towards two teammates. The Colombia international slides in well, however, to ensure that the hosts can't double their lead before the break. Diego Lopez was nearly at La Viola's mercy.
42'
Romagnoli makes a good block to deny Ilicic, but Fiorentina just keep pressing on! The purple waves keep lapping at Milan's defence, and it doesn't look like they're capable of holding them at bay for an extended period of time. Mihajlovic's side need to hold on until the interval and then go back to the drawing board.
40'
Zapata is introduced by Mihajlovic, with Honda sacrificed from the midfield. The visitors now have to continue to fight with merely 10 men, when they were already struggling with 11. What a way for Fiorentina to take the lead, however, you won't see a better free kick than Alonso's effort!
39'
C. Zapata enters the game and replaces K. Honda.
38'
Marcos Alonso has scored a goal for Fiorentina!
GOOOOOOOOAL! WHAT A FREE KICK FROM ALONSO! The Spaniard takes aim from 30 yards, using his wand of a left foot to curl the ball breathtakingly into the top corner! Diego Lopez is at full stretch, but he can't get anywhere near it! Milan pay the ultimate price for Ely's dismissal!
37'
G. Bonaventura gets yellow.
36'
Rodrigo Ely gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
RED CARD FOR ELY! The defender picks up his second booking of the evening, leaving Milan the best part of an hour to fight with 10 men. Kalinic is again the man fouled, with Ely getting the wrong side of the striker entirely. His poor positioning could cost Mihajlovic's outfit dearly.
34'
Tatarusanu is forced to claim a corner and clear a backpass with his feet, but the Romanian goalkeeper remains untested. A back post cross then picks out Borja Valero, with the Spaniard attempting to cushion a volley back towards the far post, but Ely heads away! Fiorentina head three versus three on the break there.
32'
Milan are attempting to force Fiorentina to go long whenever possible, but the hosts may not mind. Ely and Romagnoli have not been the most solid at the back for the Rossoneri, meaning that Kalinic, Bernardeschi and Ilicic can still expect some more half chances before the close of play. The contest is remaining finely balanced.
31'
F. Roncaglia gets yellow.
30'
The opening half an hour has belonged to Fiorentina, with their goalkeeper still remaining very much a spectator. Milan manage to work the ball out to the left-hand side, but a cross from Bonaventura can't quite be met by Bertolacci! The summer signing rises well but doesn't make contact!
26'
Milan won't be too pleased with what they've created thus far, but the most important thing is that Kalinic and Ilicic have thus far been unable to give La Viola the lead. Sousa will be the happier of the two coaches, but that won't stop the former Videoton coach from ruing his forward's luck in front of goal.
24'
Bonaventura tries to release Bacca down the channel, but Roncaglia intervenes. Milan's passing play has been fairly slow and patient, but they do have pacey options in more advanced areas to try and pick out with incisive balls forward. Tatarusanu does remain entirely untested, however.
22'
Alonso is fed down the left-hand side, but the former Bolton Wanderers man is unable to keep the ball in play! Fiorentina are relentlessly pressing forwards, but the Rossoneri continue to just about do enough to knock the hosts off their stride. Bacca and Luiz Adriano haven't had much service at all.
20'
Oh, what a chance! Kalinic is slotted through on goal and into the clear, with Diego Lopez at his mercy! The Spanish goalkeeper, however, stays on his feet for as long as possible before making a save with his feet! Moments later, Alonso fires narrowly wide of the far upright with a low drive! Fiorentina could well rue these missed opportunities.
19'
Ilicic is again the man involved in the thick of the action, but this time for pushing his marker inside Milan's penalty area. The opening 20 minutes have been pretty much all Fiorentina, with their home fans urging them to find a breakthrough goal. Mihajlovic, meanwhile, is probably pleased that his side are yet to concede.
17'
Fiorentina now win themselves a corner of their own, but it is headed clear at the near post. This game is not being played at a fierce pace, with the tempo only being kicked up a notch should one side win the ball deep in the opposition half. The hosts are dominating possession, but their cutting edge has been eluding them. Ilicic curls another through ball straight to Diego Lopez.
15'
Alonso gives the ball away terribly! Bacca immediately pounces on the loose pass, with the former Sevilla striker then driving to the edge of the box and rifling a shot over the bar! If La Viola give them any opportunity at all, the Rossoneri will look to counter at pace and penalise their opponents.
13'
Fiorentina are very calm and confident when working the ball out from the back, with Milan mantaining their approach of preying on mistakes. Bonaventura stands over the resulting free kick, but it is taken short to Honda. After some pinball in the box, Bonaventura has half a chance just inside the area, but the former Atalanta midfielder's shot is deflected behind brilliantly!
11'
Ilicic takes the resulting free kick, but the Slovenian midfielder curls a horrendous effort some way high and wide of the target. Fiorentina continue to have all of the early pressure, with the hosts looking to be in good competitive shape. Milan, meanwhile, already have a cautioned centre-back to bear in mind.
9'
Rodrigo Ely gets yellow.
Fiorentina are putting together all of the nice passages of play early on. Ilicic tries to flick a pass around the corner for Kalinic to chase, but the execution doesn't quite match the idea. Sousa's men are looking calm and composed on the ball, with Milan happy to be passive for now. The Croatian forward is almost released through on goal moments later, but Ely cynically trips his man. Yellow card brandished immediately by the referee.
7'
Milan win themselves a corner on the right-hand side, but it is easily headed clear at the near post. Fiorentina immediately head down the other end and attempt to break, but a long range effort from Ilicic is clawed away by Diego Lopez! The Slovenia international looked to try and catch the former Real Madrid goalkeeper off his line! Moments later, the Spaniard has to claim a looping cross cleanly.
5'
Bernardeschi breaks to the left byline, but the Italian number 10 sees his cut back hacked clear by Ely. There is plenty of hype around the young attacker, given his goals during the International Champions Cup a few weeks ago. It is all very patient in the opening minutes from the Rossoneri. De Sciglio finds Bacca with a pass down the line, forcing Roncaglia to intervene.
3'
Ilicic tries to break into the penalty area, but Honda tracks back well to intervene ahead of the Fiorentina midfielder. Mihajlovic's men are happy to sit off and invite on a bit of pressure, waiting for the hosts to play a poor, direct pass forward that they can immediately make the most of.
1'
We are underway in the first half at Stadio Artemio Franchi! Milan have a point to prove this season, with Mihajlovic tasked with reforming the Rossoneri, but Paulo Sousa won't want to lose his first Serie A home game in charge of La Viola.
Hello and welcome to this evening’s LIVE coverage of the Serie A clash between Fiorentina and AC Milan at the Artemio Franchi. Both sides are under the stewardship of new coaches, with Paulo Sousa taking charge of the Viola and Sinisa Mihajlovic now at the Rossoneri helm. Both will be eager to start the new season with a victory in what will surely be an intriguing encounter in Florence.
Fiorentina have finished in fourth position in the previous two seasons, and Sousa will be expected to push them on to a return to the Champions League in his maiden campaign. A return to Europe in any form is the aim for Milan, and that has been aided by the investment of Thai businessman Bee Taechaubol earlier in August. Despite additions in multiple areas, fans will hope that new signing Carlos Bacca can be the catalyst that inspires the team to their objective.
MILAN TEAM NEWS: Mihajlovic uses four new signings for his maiden Serie A fixture as Rossoneri coach. Alessio Romagnoli partners 21-year-old Rodrigo Ely in defence, while Andrea Bertolacci comes into the midfield trio. Carlos Bacca and Luiz Adriano form a new-look attacking duo with Jeremy Menez injured, and Keisuke Honda provides the support in the hole.
Milan (4-3-1-2): Diego Lopez; De Sciglio, Ely, Romagnoli, Antonelli; Bertolacci, De Jong, Bonaventura; Honda; Bacca, Luiz Adriano.
FIORENTINA TEAM NEWS: Mario Suarez is on the bench after confusion over a suspension following a red card shown in the Copa del Rey while an Atletico Madrid player, and Joaquin, who has been pushing for a move away, is left out. Giuseppe Rossi is unavailable due to injury and Nikola Kalinic is selected ahead of Khouma Babacar.
The Viola have won their last three season openers played at home, beating Bologna, Udinese and Catania. Their last matchday one defeat on their own patch came in 2006, when they were sunk 3-2 by Milan's city rivals Inter.
HALF TIME! Fiorentina have a slender 1-0 lead heading into the break, courtesy of a beautiful free kick converted by Marcos Alonso. Ely saw red for two bookings, with Milan having a tough task ahead if they are to take any points home tonight. Be sure to stick around for all of the second-half action!
FULL TIME! Fiorentina carry out their brief in efficient fashion, beating 10-man Milan by a 2-0 scoreline on home soil. Goals from Marcos Alonso and Ilicic were enough for the hosts, after a red card for Rodrigo Ely and a penalty given away by Romagnoli. Not the best start for Mihajlovic, but Sousa will be pleased with a clean sheet and a comfortable win against what could have been a potentially problematic Serie A curtain raiser. That's all that we have time for from Stadio Artemio Franchi, I've been Simon Harrison and I hope to see you again!
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