COMEBACK IN THE CAPITAL
Serie A
A winner in stoppage time. The Rossoneri left it late, but Tonali was there to provide us with one of the most joyful moments of the season. This evening, AC Milan came from behind to beat Lazio 2-1 in the capital and maintain their lead at the top of the table with four matchdays to go. As we wait for Inter to play their rearranged match in Bologna on Wednesday, we can take delight in a hugely significant result that confirms that AC Milan are very much alive and kicking. Furthermore, to add a cherry on top of the cake, Coach Pioli’s men secured Champions League qualification tonight.
After an early blow following Immobile’s fourth-minute opener, AC Milan responded with pride and strength, eventually equalising at the start of the second half through Giroud. The best was yet to come, with Tonali forcing the ball home following Ibrahimović’s knock-down. April has finished with three points in the rain at the Olimpico, and now May awaits. The Diavolo’s first fixture of the final month of the season will be against Fiorentina at 15:00 CEST on Sunday, and it’ll be a truly unmissable one at that. Come on, lads!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM LAZIO v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
The game at the Olimpico got off to the worst start possible for the Rossoneri as Lazio took the lead with their first chance. In the fourth minute, Milinković-Savić crossed in towards Immobile, who beat Maignan from close range. AC Milan tried to react. The Rossoneri's first chance of the game fell to Tonali, whose effort from the free-kick struck the wall. Then, in the 17th minute, Giroud headed just wide. The Rossoneri grew into the game and Leão looked bright, bursting down the left and creating numerous chances. His shot in the 28th minute hit the side-netting; he then fed Kessie, whose effort was saved by Strakosha, before Rafa's attempt on the spin was dealt with by the Lazio shot-stopper (32'). There was just time before the break for AC Milan to carve out a couple more opportunities: Giroud headed just wide (37') before Hernández almost caught the keeper off guard with a smart free-kick in the 44th minute.
The second half began with an early goal too, but this one went the way of the Rossoneri. In the 50th minute, Leão drove towards the byline and cut it back for Giroud, who slid to connect with the ball and turn it home – 1-1. The goal gave AC Milan a much-needed lift, and the guests began to get forward more frequently and with greater gusto. In the 58th minute, Zaccagni got there before Messias and turned it behind. From the ensuing corner, Radu made a vital goalline clearance to deny Kessie. Messias then brought it forward and sent his effort just wide of Strakosha's right-hand upright (62'). Stefano Pioli sent on Ibrahimović, Rebić and Krunić and shook up the look of the attack. AC Milan went all in and dominated the latter stages of the game. Leão, in the 84th minute, skipped away from Marušić and forced Strakosha into a good reflex save. The Albanian keeper then kept the scores level moments later as he denied Rebić. It looked like the winner would never come as both Ibrahimović and Hernández sent their efforts sailing off target. But the Rossoneri finally got their goal in the second minute of added time. Ibra nodded the ball down for Tonali, who brought it under his spell and prodded it home. The young midfielder sprinted towards the away end to celebrate with the many AC Milan fans at the Olimpico. Full-time.
MATCH DETAILS
LAZIO 1-2 AC MILAN
LAZIO (4-3-3): Strakosha; Lazzari (80' Hysaj), Patric (80' Luiz Felipe), Acerbi, Radu (63' Marušić); Milinković-Savić, Leiva (60' Cataldi), Luis Alberto (60' Bašić); Felipe Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni. Subs.: Adamonis, Reina; Kamenović; Akpa-Akpro, Romero; Cabral, Moro. Coach: Sarri.
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, Hernández; Tonali, Kessie; Messias (71' Krunić), Díaz (68' Rebić), Leão (86' Saelemaekers); Giroud (68' Ibrahimović). Subs.: Mirante, Tătărușanu; Ballo-Touré, Gabbia, Romagnoli; Bakayoko, Castillejo; Lazetić. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Guida from Torre Annunziata.
Goals: 4' Immobile (L), 50' Giroud (M), 92' Tonali (M)
Booked: 8' Strakosha (L), 26' Tomori (M), 74' Cataldi (L), 83' Kalulu (M), 85' Ibrahimović (M), 94' Tonali (M).
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