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Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned to action for the first time in almost a year as AC Milan beat Atalanta.
AC Milan had a dominant performance in which they could have scored a lot, but a goal in either half for a 2-0 scoreline was enough for them to overcome the challenge of Atalanta
Milan hosted La Dea at the San Siro as they looked to continue their impressive turnaround. The hosts scored in both halves as they picked up their fourth straight win in all competitions after a run of four consecutive defeats.
Milan drew level on points with Inter, who had earlier lost to Bologna, while Atalanta missed an opportunity to tie Roma for fourth place.
How it happened
AC Milan started the better game and could have been rewarded only 30 seconds after kick-off when Leao crossed to Giroud, but the Frenchman skied his effort. Leao teed him up again soon after, but the 34-year-old was seemingly without his shooting boots.
Milan would finally get the breakthrough in the 25th minute of the game when Theo Hernandez released a thunderous shot that ricocheted off the bar and into the net. The goal was, however, adjudged to be an own-goal as it came off Juan Musso before entering the net.
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The Rossoneri continued their dominance after halftime and should have extended their margin but for heroic goalkeeping by Musso. Junior Messias also had a chance to put Milan two up when he received a low cross from Rafael Leao, but the Brazilian sent the ball flying over the bar.
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The 31-year-old would make no mistake in his next chance, chipping over Musso to finally get Milan a well-deserved second.
Zlatan returns
Zlatan Ibrahimovic last kicked a ball for Milan last May as he's been suffering from a knee injury.
In the 74th minute of the game, he came on to a rapturous ovation from the home crowd, replacing Olivier Giroud.
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Zlatan's movements were not as sharp and his touches could have been cleaner, as it is his first game of the campaign, but his return could prove a big boost for Milan, who need goals from elsewhere as Giroud has only scored seven league goals this season.
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