A POINT APIECE AT THE OLIMPICO
Serie A
The Rossoneri's final fixture of August, on Serie A matchday 3, ended all square. Lazio and AC Milan played out a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Olimpico, which is probably the right result on balance. A point apiece won't move the standings for either side but it's a game without defeat as the Rossoneri head into the first international break, giving them something to build on. It was a good first half for the Diavolo, not only due to Strahinja Pavlović's first goal for the Club; a new-look AC Milan XI looked to be working well and created various chances.
A poor phase on the hour mark saw the hosts bag two quick goals, which exposes some of the same defensive issues seen against Torino and Parma. The team did not give up, though, and reacted well to claw themselves back level as Abraham set up Leão, both of whom had only been on the pitch for a couple of minutes. The Rossoneri kept going until the end in the hunt for the winner. The positives to take, therefore, are the reaction and the desire never to give up, which can be cause for optimism about the team's future development. The Rossoneri start September against Venezia at San Siro: forza ragazzi!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM LAZIO v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
Both Emerson Royal and Fofana got their first start, but the first chance of the game went to Lazio in the 2nd minute with Pavlović making a brilliant clearance off the line. We tried to take charge of the game and it paid off in the 8th minute when Pulisic took a corner, allowing Pavlović to head home past Provedel and celebrate with 5,000 Rossoneri fans at the Olimpico. Lazio tried instantly to respond with attempts from Castellanos and Tchaouna, but AC Milan were also threatening with two chances in quick succession thanks to Fofana and Chukwueze. Less action in the following few minutes as we controlled the pace of the game, not giving the hosts an inch. In the 43rd minute, the last act of the first half, Pulisic crossed into the centre of the box for Loftus-Cheek who narrowly failed to connect with the ball.
The second half started slowly with the Rossoneri in control. After Tomori closed down Zaccagni well, it was Okafor who ran through two men in the 55th minute but struggled to get a shot away. Terracciano had a chance in the 59th minute, but Romagnoli sent the shot out for a corner. As we passed the hour mark, Lazio moved things up a notch to find the leveller and then take the lead through Castellanos and Dia. Fonseca made four changes, bringing on Hernández, Musah, Leão and debutant Abraham, and the reaction came instantly. In the 72nd minute, Abraham and Leão secured the goal to make it 2-2, the Englishman assisted Rafa to beat Provedel. Both intensity and agony in the final moments, but few chances: in the 80th minute, Maignan did well to stop Zaccagni, whilst in the fourth minute added on, Abraham had a go but couldn’t get past Provedel. It ended 2-2.
MATCH DETAILS
LAZIO 2-2 AC MILAN
LAZIO (4-2-3-1): Provedel; Lazzari (46' Marušić), Patric, Romagnoli, Tavares (90' Hysaj); Guendouzi, Rovella; Tchaouna (46' Isaksen), Dia (81' Dele-Bashiru), Zaccagni; Castellanos (87' Noslin). Subs: Furlanetto, Mandas; Castrovilli, Vecino; Pedro. Coach: Baroni.
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; E. Royal (70' Hernández), Tomori, Pavlović, Terracciano; Fofana, Reijnders (70' Musah); Chukwueze (70' Leão), Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic; Okafor (71' Abraham). Subs: Raveyre, Torriani; Bartesaghi, Calabria, Gabbia; Zeroli; Camarda, Cuenca. Coach: Fonseca.
Referee: Massa from Imperia.
Goals: 8' Pavlović (M), 62' Castellanos (L), 66' Dia (L), 72' Leão (M).
Booked: 20' Fofana (M), 39' Rovella (L), 64' Zaccagni (L), 84' Patric (L), 90'+1 Terracciano (M), 90'+3 Guendouzi (L).
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