Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari took several long range shots in vain as AC Milan slumped to a shocking 2-0 home defeat to Fiorentina on Saturday night.

The 29-year-old came close to opening the scoring as early as the 7th minute but his attempt outside the penalty box went wide.

The Ghana international tried his luck again minutes later with another long range effort but failed to hit his target.

Then Christian Zapata headed Kaka’s corner kick high.

Balotelli and Muntari came close to breaking the deadlock for hosts Milan in quick succession, but it was the visiting Viola who took the lead in the 27th minute through a Juan Vargas free kick.

Mario Balotelli then had a penalty shout turned down close to recess – much to the dismay of an expectant crowd at the San Siro.

Cristian Zaccardo, Balotelli, M’Baye Niang and Riccardo Montolivo all tried their luck for the hosts but without success, and then much against the run of play Fiorentina doubled their advantage.

It was Borja Valero who scored the Florence outfit’s second and final goal of the evening.

Joaquin beat Riccardo Saponara down the right and sent in a cross that goalkeeper Gabriel failed to control, leaving the Spanish playmaker with an easy finish.

The defeat sees Milan drop to 11th in Serie-A and now a staggering 18 points behind leaders Roma as pressure cranks up on manager Massimiliano Allegri.