LATE DRAMA AT THE OLIMPICO
Serie A
We didn't deserve to lose it and we had the heart to equalise even when all seemed lost. Roma v AC Milan ended 1-1 with both goals coming in added time. The Giallorossi seemed like they'd bagged the winner through Abraham in the 94th minute but Saelemaekers popped up at the death to give AC Milan a deserved, and vital, point. And so it was honours even between the two sides, who are level in fourth, following a physical if technically lacking 90 minutes of football. After seven games in Serie A and the Champions League, we finish April with an unbeaten record.
Roma afforded the Rossoneri very little space and the guests did manage to play around the Giallorossi on those occasions when the build-up was slick and fast. The two sides, who both looked leggy following a busy period, pushed hard in added time and, after conceding, the Rossoneri reacted well to bring themselves level. We can build on this point in the table, which may not be totally satisfactory but will sure to provide our boys with a boost ahead of the Cremonese game at San Siro on Wednesday night.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM ROMA v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
It was a hard-fought, scrappy and physical start to the game. The first attacking foray came from the hosts through Pellegrini, who shot over after Belotti’s lay-off on seven minutes. AC Milan replied with a nice move that ended with Brahim crossing for Krunić, but his header went well wide. Halfway through the first half, Calabria put in an inviting cross into the area but noone was there to send it home. Roma closed out all available space and looked to advance forward at every opportunity: after 33 minutes, Spinazzola cut the ball back for Pellegrini, whose well-struck attempt was blocked by Abraham. The closing stages were the Rossoneri's with Calabria firing across goal and wide of the target from Theo’s cross, before Tomori vollyed just wide from Tonali’s corner on the stroke of half-time.
Thiaw replaced Tomori at the break before Saelemaekers came on for Díaz ten minutes later. But it was Roma who were looking dangerous on the break with Calabria and Maignan keeping El Shaarawy out. On the hour mark, a huge chance came for us: Oli won a header for Leão, who found Alexis at the back stick, but the number 56’s volley was just too high. It was Saelemaekers again after 84 minutes, this time heading over from Theo’s cross, before the Giallorossi went close in the first minute of stoppage-time through Camara’s left-footed hit that flew wide of the post. Then, the late drama came: Abraham scored with 94 minutes on the clock, firing home past Mike with his right after Çelik’s assist. But when all seemed lost, the Rossoneri equalised two minutes later: Rafa’s floated cross missed everyone and Alexis snuck in at the back post to volley home and earn the away side a deserved point.
MATCH DETAILS
ROMA 1-1 AC MILAN
ROMA (3-5-2): Rui Patrício; Mancini, Kumbulla (15' Bove) (89' Camara), Ibañez; Çelik, Cristante, Matić, Pellegrini, Spinazzola; Abraham (98' Solbakken), Belotti (46' El Shaarawy). Subs.: Boer, Svilar; Tahirović, Volpato, Zalewski; Dybala. Coach: Mourinho.
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kjær (73' Kalulu), Tomori (46' Thiaw), Hernández; Krunić, Tonali; Díaz (56' Saelemaekers), Bennacer (73' De Ketelaere), Leão; Giroud (88' Origi). Subs.: Mirante, Tătăruşanu; Ballo-Touré, Gabbia, Kalulu; Adli, Bakayoko, Vranckx; Messias, Rebić. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Orsato from Schio.
Goal: 94' Abraham (R), 96' Saelemaekers (M).
Booked: 16' Tomori (M), 24' Matić (R), 72' Ibañez (R), 75' Krunić (M), 83' Cristante (R)
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