AC MILAN CRUISE INTO THE LAST FOUR
Coppa Italia
It went better than we ever could have hoped. The Rossoneri were simply sublime in their quarter-final Coppa Italia tie as they brushed Lazio aside, putting four unanswered goals past the Biancocelesti. It was the complete performance: invention, character, physicality, attitude. Leão opened the scoring before Giroud bagged another brace (ten goals total this season, all at San Siro) and Kessie then wrapped it up late on. The Rossoneri backline afforded very few chances to Lazio, much to the delight of the fans, who were already in the mood following Sunday's victory in the Derby. And it’s Inter who we shall face in the two-legged semi-final.
The evening was made even sweeter by the returns of Fik Tomori and Ante Rebić, who both made an appearance off the bench. The changes didn't affect AC Milan as they continued to play with intensity and grit. This mentality is a good sign ahead of the Rossoneri's next league fixture as they host Sampdoria at 12:30 CET on Sunday. After two massive performances, the Rossoneri must not lose focus and drop down the gears: we're not stopping now!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v LAZIO
REPORT
The two teams spent the first ten minutes trying to figure each other out before there was an increase in tempo. Kessie had the first shot in anger after twelve minutes, but former Rossoneri goalkeeper Reina was equal to it. With AC Milan doing almost all of the attacking, the first goal of the game arrived on the 24-minute mark, when Leão raced onto Romagnoli’s fantastic defence-splitting pass, got the better of Luiz Felipe and slotted past the goalkeeper to make it 1-0. Lazio briefly threatened after 35 minutes, but Immobile failed to direct the ball towards goal after reaching it before Maignan. The Rossoneri then struck a double blow just before half-time: Díaz broke quickly and spread play for Leão, who, after gliding past Luiz Felipe, rolled the ball across for Giroud to tap home (42’). Three minutes later, the Frenchman was left with another easy finish, this time from Hernández’s assist, with Diaz once again involved in the build-up. A brace for Oli, complete Rossoneri domination and San Siro in raptures.
Tonali, who picked up a booking and will thus miss the first leg of the semis, was replaced at the interval, with Bennacer coming on in his place. The Diavolo were hoping to add to their tally as Brahim burst forward, only for Marusić to put a stop to the move. Sarri rang the changes, bringing on Pedro, Leiva and Luis Alberto in an attempt to put pressure on the AC Milan backline. Milinković-Savić came close with a header from a corner, but, in the 79th minute, the No.79 found the net: with Lazio having failed to adequately clear a Maldini free kick, Kessie fired home to make it four. Daniel had a go himself three minutes later, but his attempt from distance was comfortably saved by Reina. AC Milan were in cruise control and sailed through the final ten minutes: 4-0 the final score, the Rossoneri are in the semis.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 4-0 LAZIO
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria (77' Tomori), Kalulu, Romagnoli, Hernández; Tonali (46' Bennacer), Kessie; Messias (61' Saelemaekers), Díaz, Leão (77' Maldini); Giroud (61' Rebić). Subs: Mirante, Tătăruşanu; Florenzi; Bakayoko, Castillejo, Krunić; Lazetić. Coach: Pioli.
LAZIO (4-3-3): Reina; Hysaj (61' Lazzari), Luiz Felipe, Patric, Marusić; Milinković-Savić, Cataldi (50' Leiva), Basić (50' Luis Alberto); F. Anderson (50' Pedro), Immobile (68' Moro), Zaccagni. Subs: Adamonis, Strakosha; Floriani, Kamenović, Radu; A. Anderson; Cabral, Romero. Coach: Sarri.
Referee: Sozza from Seregno.
Goal: 24' Leão (M), 42' Giroud (M), 46' Giroud (M), 79' Kessie (M).
Booked: 15' Luiz Felipe (L), 22' Tonali (M).
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