MILAN: A first-half brace from Brahim Díaz helped AC Milan to a 4-1 win over Monza in Serie A, making it an unhappy return to San Siro for former Rossoneri CEO Adriano Galliani on Saturday.
Divock Origi scored his first goal for Milan and substitute Rafael Leão sealed the game after Filippo Ranocchia had pulled one back for Monza.
The only negative note for Milan was the sight of Díaz limping off early in the second half clutching his left thigh. He received a standing ovation and Milan will hope his injury is not too serious, with their two final matches in the Champions League group stage coming up over the next two weeks.
Milan moved level with Serie A leader Napoli ahead of the southern club’s match against Roma on Sunday.
Monza, which had won three of their last four league matches, remained five points above the relegation zone.
Much of the focus before the match had been on the return of Silvio Berlusconi and Galliani to the club they led to 29 trophies in 31 years.
Berlusconi bought Monza in 2018 and installed Galliani as CEO — reuniting the duo that found success at Milan until Berlusconi sold the Rossoneri in 2017.
The former Italian premier was not seen at San Siro but the television cameras were on Galliani, who — as promised — managed to contain his emotions during the match.
He was visibly moved before kickoff, however, looking around his old home and hugging everyone on the touchline, including former Milan player and current director Paolo Maldini.
Milan took the lead in the 16th minute in stunning fashion as Díaz collected a goal kick in the center circle and burst downfield, past several defenders before slotting across into the bottom right corner.
The Spain midfielder doubled his tally four minutes from halftime as Origi rolled the ball across from the right and Díaz turned his marker before firing an angled drive into the far bottom corner.
Origi got on the scoresheet himself in the 65th as he gathered the ball from Junior Messias and smashed it into the top right corner.
Ranocchia got his side back into the match five minutes later with a superb free kick into the right side of the net but Leão restored Milan’s three-goal advantage with six minutes remaining.
Inter Milan played at bitter rival Fiorentina later. A win would send the Nerazzurri level with fifth-place Lazio, five points behind Napoli.
Díaz nets 2 as Milan beats Berlusconi-owned Monza 4-1
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Díaz nets 2 as Milan beats Berlusconi-owned Monza 4-1
- Divock Origi scored his first goal for Milan
- Substitute Rafael Leão sealed the game after Filippo Ranocchia had pulled one back for Monza
Africa Cup of Nations commercial revenue up by 90 percent, says CAF
- CAF said on Friday this was because of the increase in commercial partners and media rights distribution
- “For the 2025 edition in Morocco, CAF has continued to attract more partners and now has 23 sponsors
CASABLANCA: The Confederation of African Football said it has had a 90 percent increase in commercial revenue for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, calling it “the most successful commercial story in the history of African football” but without providing any figures.
CAF said on Friday this was because of the increase in commercial partners and media rights distribution and venturing into new markets, most notably in Asia.
“The growth has been matched by a steady expansion of the sponsor portfolio, with the number of commercial partners increasing from nine during the 2021 tournament to 17 at the finals in Ivory Coast in 2023,” a statement from African football’s controlling body said.
“For the 2025 edition in Morocco, CAF has continued to attract more partners and now has 23 sponsors.
“This expansion reflects both the attraction of new global brands and the retention of existing partners, for whom the Afcon has been an excellent return on investment,” the statement added.
In its financial statements released at its congress last year, CAF said it had an income of $96 million in net contract revenues for the last Cup of Nations.
CAF, in its annual report last year, said the tournament in Morocco was forecast to contribute $114 million in net profit.
