MILAN: Zlatan Ibrahimovic became the oldest player to score multiple goals in a Serie A game, but his brace still wasn’t enough for AC Milan to win on Saturday.

Despite the Sweden star’s two goals at the age of 40 years and 48 days, the Rossoneri slumped to their first loss of the season with a 4-3 defeat at Fiorentina.

Dusan Vlahovic was the hero of the night in Florence, scoring twice for Fiorentina. With 27 goals in 2021, the Serbia striker equalled Kurt Hamrin’s record from 1960 as the player with the most Serie A goals for Fiorentina in a single calendar year.

AC Milan remained in second place, provisionally level on points with Serie A leaders Napoli.

Vlahovic, who had been under fire from Fiorentina fans for refusing to sign a contract extension, put the hosts into what looked like a safe three-goal lead an hour into an error-strewn contest at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

And he saved the home side again with five minutes to go by coolly finishing the fourth following Ibrahimovic’s two quick strikes, giving Fiorentina their first win of the season against one of Italy’s big boys.

Vincenzo Italiano’s Viola are up to sixth on 21 points, four away from the Champions League positions, after a win in which Alfred Duncan and Riccardo Saponara also netted for the hosts and Lorenzo Venuti — only playing in defence as three centre-backs were out injured — scored an unfortunate stoppage-time own goal.

I told the boys we are getting the reputation of being a team that can’t do it against the big clubs and that this was the time to show that it’s not the case,” said Italiano. It was a great achievement and I am very happy for the players.”

BONUCCI FIRES JUVE TO LAZIO WIN

Earlier, struggling Juventus ended Lazio’s 19-match unbeaten home record with a 2-0 win at Stadio Olimpico as Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri faced his former club.

Leonardo Bonucci scored both goals from the penalty spot as Juventus’ climb up the Serie A table continued following a rocky start to the campaign.

Italy defender Bonucci smashed home almost identical spot-kicks in each half in Rome to move Juve seventh, level on points with Fiorentina and fifth-placed Lazio.

It was a dogged, solid away performance typical of Massimiliano Allegri’s best sides and a good sign ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Stamford Bridge to face Premier League leaders Chelsea.

When you’re Juve and played like we did at the start of the season it’s right that you get criticised, but that should encourage us to improve,” said Bonucci after his first Serie A double.

It’s down to us to maintain the same spirit from tonight.”

Published in Dawn, November 22nd, 2021