Milan vs. Fiorentina: Final score 1-3 as the Viola continue to prove themselves

No, Fiorentina's victory over AC Milan was not an upset, unless you haven't been paying a lick of attention to Serie A this season. Milan really are that weak, and the Viola have been revitalized under Vincenzo Montella. Even without the talismanic Stevan Jovetic, the visitors performed beautifully at the San Siro, coming away with all three points. But the Viola remain in fourth, thanks to Napoli's come from behind victory against Genoa.

It took just ten minutes for Fiorentina to take the lead in Milan. The home side failed to adequately mark Alberto Aquilani -- perhaps they'd forgotten their former teammate existed, just as the rest of us had -- and the midfielder had an easy goal, his first for the Viola.

Milan missed a great opportunity to equalize in the 35th minute. Facundo Roncaglia's elbow nicked the back of Alexandre Pato's head, and the referee, taking mercy on the fallen rossoneri, awarded a penalty. Unfortunately for the home side, Pato took the kick himself, and showed the world just how long he'd been out of practice. The Duck's shot flew well over the bar.

The Viola punished Milan further just three minutes later. Borja Valero made the opposing defense look absolutely foolish, winding through the red and black shirts. The Spaniard made Philippe Mexes look like an amateur as he evaded his tackle to put the ball past Christian Abbiati.

Desperate to make something happen, and perhaps save his job once again, Massimiliano Allegri brought off both Pato and Urby Emmanuelson at halftime, putting on Bojan Krkic and Giampaolo Pazzini instead. The move payed off fifteen minutes later. Mexes redeemed himself with a backheel that dropped off the post, right into the path of Pazzini. The forward easily tapped in to put Milan within leveling distance.

Unfortunately for Allegri's side -- and the man himself -- it was Fiorentina who scored the final goal, finally putting the game out of reach in the 87th minute. Mounir El Hamdaoui scored a wondrous goal, controlling the ball beautifully before bending it on past Abbiati.