Ibrahimović sets up 2 goals before red card, Milan wins 3-1

Zlatan Ibrahimović set up two goals but was also sent off as AC Milan won 3-1 at relegation-threatened Parma on Saturday to keep its small Serie A title hopes alive.

Ibrahimović had a hand in both Milan’s first-half goals but was shown a straight red card on the hour mark. Riccardo Gagliolo reduced the deficit but substitute Rafael Leão sealed the result in stoppage time as Milan moved to within eight points of league leader Inter Milan, which hosts Cagliari on Sunday.

Milan is in a tight fight for second place with Juventus and Atalanta. Both play on Sunday.

AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks on during the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Sampdoria at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, April 3, 2021. (AP PhotoAntonio Calanni)

In Parma, Milan got off to a perfect start as Ibrahimović sent a throughball to Ante Rebić, who gathered with his back to goal, spun round and fired powerfully into the top right corner.

The 39-year-old Ibrahimović was also involved in Milan’s second, a minute from the break. Theo Hernández played a one-two with the Sweden forward and touched it onto Franck Kessié, who drilled into the bottom left corner.

Parma had a triple chance to get back into the match five minutes into the second half but Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off a double save to deny first Andrea Conti and then Graziano Pellè, and Juraj Kucka’s attempt was over the bar.

Milan's Ante Rebic celebrates after scoring his side's first goal, with teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who gave him the assist, during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Parma and Milan at the Ennio Tardini stadium in Parma, Italy, Saturday, April 10, 2021. (SpadaLaPresse via AP)

Ibrahimović was sent off shortly after for something he appeared to say to referee Fabio Maresca and Parma got back into the match six minutes later. A ball was floated to the back post and Pellè nodded it across to Gagliolo, who managed to prod in from close range.

Milan held on and made sure of all three points when Diogo Dalot raced down the right and rolled across for fellow substitute Leão to fire into the bottom right corner, shortly after coming off the bench.

COMEBACK WIN

AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacts during the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Sampdoria at the San Siro stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, April 3, 2021. (AP PhotoAntonio Calanni)

Spezia scored two goals in the dying minutes to complete its comeback and beat bottom-place Crotone 3-2.

Martin Erlić scored one and set up another as Spezia moved 10 points above the relegation zone. Crotone remained nine points below 17th-place Torino, which visits Udinese later.

Crotone broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion, five minutes from halftime. Koffi Djidji chested the ball down with his back to goal, near the edge of the penalty area, and the defender scored on the turn with a half volley which looped over the goalkeeper and under the crossbar.

Milan's Franck Kessie celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Parma and Milan at the Ennio Tardini stadium in Parma, Italy, Saturday, April 10, 2021. (SpadaLaPresse via AP)

Daniele Verde leveled in the 63rd but Simy restored Crotone’s lead 15 minutes later.

Crotone appeared to be heading for its first win after three successive defeats but Erlić found an unmarked Giulio Maggiore to net the equalizer in the 89th minute.

And three minutes later Erlić scored the winner. Ardian Ismajli’s header came off the crossbar and Erlić noded in the rebound from close range.

Milan coach Stefano Pioli looks on during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Parma and Milan at the Ennio Tardini stadium in Parma, Italy, Saturday, April 10, 2021. (SpadaLaPresse via AP)

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Milan's Ante Rebic scores his side's first goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Parma and Milan at the Ennio Tardini stadium in Parma, Italy, Saturday, April 10, 2021. (Massimo PaoloneLaPresse via AP)

Milan's Ante Rebic scores his side's first goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Parma and Milan at the Ennio Tardini stadium in Parma, Italy, Saturday, April 10, 2021. (SpadaLaPresse via AP)

Spezia's Martin Erlic and Giulio Maggiore celebrate at the end of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Spezia and Crotone at the Alberto Picco stadium in La Spezia, Saturday, April 10, 2021. They scored one goal each in Spezia 3 - 2 last minute victory. (Tano PecorararoLaPresse via AP)

Spezia's Martin Erlic heads the ball during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Spezia and Crotone at the Alberto Picco stadium in La Spezia, Saturday, April 10, 2021. (Tano PecorararoLaPresse via AP)

Crotone's Koffi Djidji, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's first goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Spezia and Crotone at the Alberto Picco stadium in La Spezia, Saturday, April 10, 2021. (Tano PecorararoLaPresse via AP)