AC MILAN ELIMINATED FROM THE COPPA ITALIA

A bitter evening at the Olimpico: in the Coppa Italia Round of 16, Massimiliano Allegri's AC Milan side were beaten 1-0 by Maurizio Sarri's Lazio, and were subsequently eliminated from the competition. A set-piece ultimately gave the Biancocelesti the win at the end of a match that was deadlocked for the most part. The Rossoneri came into the match following their 1-0 win against Lazio in Serie A, and they tried to repeat that result in Rome but without managing to make the most of their greater intensity in the second half and the reliable man between the sticks, Mike Maignan. 

The first half did not bring many chances and was played at a calm pace with lots of possession of the ball and little sharpness from either side. The second half saw AC Milan be more courageous and raise the tempo but without finding the decisive goal. Lazio struck from a set-piece and closed the game. Maignan kept the team's hopes alive with two brilliant saves, Loftus-Cheek tried to use his physicality in the Lazio area, but it wasn't  enough. AC Milan are eliminated and now it's time to focus on the league and Supercoppa: next up, Torino. 

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM LAZIO v AC MILAN

MATCH REPORT
It was a nervy start for AC Milan at the Olimpico: in the second minute, Pavlović was late on Guendouzi and picked up a yellow card. From the resulting free-kick, Bašić fired over with his left foot. The Rossoneri were struggling to build from the back, and Lazio looked to take advantage: in the 24th minute, Bašić broke on the counter after a smart Zaccagni flick-on, but his effort across goal went wide. In the 33rd minute, another defensive lapse presented Castellanos with the chance to shoot, but he scuffed his finish into the arms of Maignan. At the other end, an attacking move from AC Milan saw Loftus-Cheek fail to properly connect with an Estupiñan cross, before Saelemaekers put the ball back into the mix for the Englishman, whose backheel was smothered by Mandas (37’). In the 45th minute, Maignan denied Isaksen after only partially punching clear a Lazio corner. The first half ended 0-0.

The second half opened at a lively pace at the Olimpico. In the 46th minute, Pellegrini won the ball back in midfield and tried his luck from distance, but his shot sailed over. AC Milan began to find joy out wide: in the 51st minute, Estupiñan reached the byline and crossed for Loftus-Cheek, who climbed above Romagnoli but couldn’t keep his header down. On the hour mark, a corner-kick routine ended with Saelemaekers firing straight at Mandas. Nine minutes later, Rabiot stood one up for Loftus-Cheek, who nodded wide. In the 71st minute, Jashari released Estupiñán, who picked out Leão on the stretch, but the Portuguese man blazed over from a great position. Then, in the 80th minute, Lazio struck as Zaccagni headed home Nuno Tavares’ corner at the near post to make it 1-0. AC Milan pushed bodies forward and almost conceded a second in the 85th minute, with Maignan producing a brilliant stop to thwart Noslin. The newly introduced Pulisic had a go late on, but it wasn’t enough: AC Milan are out of the Coppa Italia.

MATCH DETAILS

LAZIO 1-0 AC MILAN

LAZIO (4-3-3): Mandas; Marušić, Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini (71' Tavares); Guendouzi, Vecino (58' Dele-Bashiru), Bašić; Isaksen (83' Cancellieri), Castellanos (58' Noslin), Zaccagni (83' Pedro). Subs: Furlanetto, Provedel; Lazzari, Patric, Provstgaard; Belahyane; Dia. Coach: Sarri.

AC MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, De Winter, Pavlović; Saelemaekers (64' Nkunku), Ricci, Jashari (81' Modrić), Rabiot, Estupiñan (87' Bartesaghi); Loftus-Cheek (81' Pulisic), Leão. Subs: Terracciano, Torriani; Gabbia, Odogu; Sala. Coach: Allegri.

Referee: Guida di Torre Annunziata.
Goal: 80' Zaccagni (L).
Booked: 2' Pavlović (M), 84' De Winter (M).

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