ROSSONERI DRAW IN THE CAPITAL

AC Milan and Roma shared the points at the Olimpico, with the match ending 1–1. Roma once again proved to be a tactically tough opponent, while the Rossoneri delivered a performance full of character, solid during difficult moments and dangerous from set pieces. The first half was played at a very high tempo, with Allegri's and Gasperini's sides pressing high and rotating duels in search of superiority in every area of the pitch. The pace dropped after the break, and it was AC Milan who broke the deadlock from a set-piece through Koni De Winter’s first goal in the Rossoneri's colours. Roma reacted immediately and found the equaliser from the penalty spot. It was the first draw of the season for the Giallorossi, while AC Milan’s unbeaten run remained intact.

The draw helped us extend the gap over Napoli and keep Roma at arm’s length: 47 points on the board, second place, and momentum preserved after this big match and the convincing wins against Como and Lecce. Maignan was decisive once again, outstanding reflex save to deny Çelik, and on the penalty, he guessed the right way and got a touch on the ball. It was also a special night for Tomori, who reached the milestone of 200 appearances for the Diavolo. An important point ahead of the next, far-from-straightforward fixture: the unusual Tuesday night clash against Bologna, a key crossroads in staying in touch with the top of the table.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM ROMA v AC MILAN

MATCH REPORT
A full-throttle start unfolded at the Olimpico. After just one minute, following the kick-off, Roma played it long; Koné pressed on the second ball and won it high up the pitch, then played Malen in behind, but his shot was weak and straight into Maignan’s arms. AC Milan responded immediately in the 2nd minute: Bartesaghi, Nkunku and Rabiot shifted the ball up the pitch, before it was switched wide to Saelemaekers, who cut inside and unleashed, sending it over the bar. In the 8th minute, Ghilardi anticipated Nkunku and released Malen again, with Maignan once more making the save. On 19 minutes, from a corner, an exchange between Cristante and Ndicka set up Malen, whose shot on the turn from a great position drifted wide. Right on the stroke of half-time, in the 46th minute, Cristante overlapped and whipped in a driven cross that found Çelik for a close-range tap-in, but a sensational instinctive right-hand save from Maignan kept it out. It was 0-0 at the break.

The second half was played at a much slower tempo. In the 50th minute, Bartesaghi beat Çelik with a backheel and laid it off to Rabiot, who shot across goal, forcing Svilar into a corner. On 62 minutes, a short-corner routine between Modrić and Bartesaghi led to a curling cross from the Croatian and a powerful header from De Winter: 0-1, AC Milan in front. Roma reacted, and in the 73rd minute, from Çelik’s cross, Bartesaghi's outstretched arm resulted in a penalty awarded by referee Colombo. Pellegrini stepped up and sent Maignan the wrong way from the spot to make it 1-1. There were few chances after that, with both teams compact, defensively solid and well organised. Allegri tried to change things up front by introducing Pulisic and Füllkrug. In the 91st minute, Rabiot’s cross picked out the German striker, who rose above everyone else but headed just over the bar. The match ended all square.

MATCH DETAILS

ROMA 1-1 AC MILAN

ROMA (3‑4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi; Çelik, Koné (59' Pisilli), Cristante, Wesley; Dybala (69' Pellegrini), Soulé (85' Venturino); Malen (69' Vaz). Subs: Gollini, Vásquez; Lulli, Tsimikas, Ziółkowski; El Aynaoui; Ferguson. Coach: Gasperini.

AC MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, De Winter; Saelemaekers (46' Athekame), Ricci (79' Loftus-Cheek), Modrić, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Nkunku (67' Pulisic), Leão (67' Füllkrug). Subs: Terracciano, Torriani; Estupiñan, Odogu, Pavlović; Fofana, Jashari. Coach: Allegri.

Refree: Colombo from Como.
Goals: 62' De Winter (M), 74' pen. Pellegrini (R).
Booked: 51' Rabiot (M), 55' Athekame (M), 70' Modrić (M), 74' Maignan (M).

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