DEFEAT IN THE CAPITAL
Serie A
It's another defeat for AC Milan following the bitter disappointment of the Supercoppa. This time, it was Lazio who did the damage in a rather one-sided game. It ended 4-0 to the Biancocelesti with goals from Milinković-Savić, Zaccagni, Luis Alberto (penalty) and Felipe Anderson. The game at the Olimpico summed up all of the difficulties that the Rossoneri are experiencing in this tricky period. There were plenty of similarities, unfortunately, with the draw against Lecce and the loss in Riyadh: an early goal conceded, down 2-0 at half time and a slight reaction to start the second half before crashing back down to earth. The team now need a win, as soon as possible. We can take heart from the incredible away support, as our fans sang loud and proud in spite of the result.
Returning home to San Siro could be the boost that the Rossoneri require as Pioli's side host Sassuolo on Sunday on Serie A matchday 20. AC Milan have finished the girone di andata with 38 points and sit in second place in an extremely tight battle for the top four, twelve points behind leaders Napoli. Heads have dropped but, through unity, togetherness and hard work, a lot can change. We're only halfway through the season and there's still time to reverse this trend.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM LAZIO v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
AC Milan made another slow start, falling behind in the fourth minute: Zaccagni rolled it across for Milinković-Savić, who swept home with his left foot. The Rossoneri tried to respond as they took hold of possession, but there was a lack of an attacking threat. Lazio then got back on the front foot: on the half-hour mark, Zaccagni’s volley came off Kjær, who had come on for the injured Tomori, and went behind for a corner. Five minutes later, Pedro burst down the left and aimed to roll it across for Felipe Anderson, who was just unable to connect. The hosts doubled their advantage in the 38th minute: Marušić was picked out by Pedro and hit the post, but Zaccagni was there to convert the rebound. At the end of the half, Kjaer made a big block to prevent Zaccagni from adding another.
The Rossoneri played in a more aggressive manner at the beginning of the second half. The first attempt after the restart came from Bennacer, whose curling free-kick was deflected inches wide. Coach Pioli made a triple change, with Saelemaekers being one of the new faces introduced. The Belgian immediately got involved in the action as he floated in a cross for Leão, who, under pressure from Hysaj, failed to keep the ball down from close range. With a big opportunity for AC Milan having gone begging, Lazio scored again to dash hopes of a possible comeback: Kalulu was penalised for a late challenge on Pedro in the box, and Luis Alberto stepped up to convert the resulting penalty (67’). De Ketelaere had a go in the 72nd minute, but it only got worse for the Diavolo as the Biancocelesti netted a fourth through Felipe Anderson, who finished off Luis Alberto’s pass (75’). Rebić’s 79th-minute strike was saved Provedel, who preserved his clean sheet as he kept out a long-range free-kick from the same AC Milan player in the 90th minute. Full time.
MATCH DETAILS
LAZIO 4-0 AC MILAN
LAZIO (4-3-3): Provedel; Marušić (78' Lazzari), Casale, Romagnoli, Hysaj; Milinković-Savić (83' Bašić), Cataldi (87' Marcos Antônio), Luis Alberto; Pedro (78' Romero), Felipe Anderson, Zaccagni. Subs: Adamonis, Maximiano; Fares, Patric, Radu; Bertini, Vecino; Cancellieri. Coach: Sarri.
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Tătărușanu; Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori (23' Kjær), Dest; Bennacer, Tonali; Messias (53' Saelemaekers), Díaz (54' De Ketelaere), Leão (79' Rebić); Giroud (54' Origi). Subs: Mirante, Vásquez; Bozzolan, Gabbia, Thiaw; Adli, Krunić, Pobega, Vranckx. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Di Bello from Brindisi.
Goals: 4' Milinković-Savić (L), 38' Zaccagni (L), 67' pen. Luis Alberto (L), 75' Felipe Anderson (L).
Booked: 26' Bennacer (M), 33' Milinković-Savić (L), 54' Kjær (M).
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