BACK TO WINNING WAYS
Serie A
San Siro threw up another crossroad, and Massimiliano Allegri's AC Milan took the right turn. They beat Gasperini's Roma by a goal to nil, Pavlović with the winner from a sensational Leão assist. The Rossoneri went into it following draws with Pisa and Atalanta, with the standings yet to yield a runaway leader. AC Milan played with enthusiasm and energy, as they got a result from a game in which they improved constantly. As such, the Rossoneri kept pace with the leaders.
AC Milan started poorly in an intense encounter, dominated early on by the guests. Then came the moment that changed it all. Just as Roma were enjoying their best spell of the match, Pavlović gave Milan the lead and took the wind out of the Giallorossi's sails. From there, Allegri's men managed the game well, threatening on the counter and creating a host of chances to kill it off. They withstood the late Roma siege, and Maignan saved a penalty. The win is down to him, as well as Pavlović's physicality. The Serb was solid at the back and made a telling contribution up top. Also key for the Rossoneri were Leão's pace down the wing and Saelemaekers' inventive plays. It's tight at the top with ten games played: the Rossoneri have 21 points, one behind leaders Napoli and level with Roma and Inter.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v ROMA
MATCH REPORT
It was a slow start to the match from AC Milan, who struggled to find space and contain Roma’s combinations down the flanks. After just one minute, a poor Maignan clearance led to a chance for Cristante, who could only fire wide. In the seventh minute, El Aynaoui benefitted from another misplaced pass but shot straight at our goalkeeper. Roma threatened again on the ten-minute mark when Ndicka headed wide from an inviting Soulé cross. Five minutes later, an effort from Wesley was too weak to really trouble Maignan. In the 17th minute, another defensive lapse from the Rossoneri allowed Dybala a chance inside the box, but he fired wide with the outside of his boot. AC Milan then finally began to show signs of life. In the 37th minute, Leão tried to add some spark in attack, surging between the lines and winning a corner. From Modrić’s delivery, Gabbia rose well but headed over. Two minutes later, AC Milan broke quickly: Leão beat Ndicka and squared the ball for Pavlović, who finished first-time to make it 1-0. With the wind in their sails, the Rossoneri pushed forward against a shaken Roma side. In the 44th minute, an effort from Nkunku was a bit too close to Svilar, while Fofana shot inches wide from a Bartesaghi cross a minute later. The first half ended with AC Milan 1-0 ahead.
The second half began with the Rossoneri much sharper and quicker on the ball. Straight from kick-off, Ricci hit one on the volley, missing the target by inches. In the 47th minute, after a quick exchange between Nkunku, Saelemaekers and Fofana, the French midfielder was thwarted by Svilar. Two minutes later, AC Milan broke at lightning speed: Saelemaekers picked out Leão, whose strike was excellently saved by the keeper. From the resulting corner, the ball ricocheted off Nkunku and struck the post. With 52 minutes on the clock, Nkunku found Ricci, but his attempt lacked power. Roma showed signs of life again in the 63rd minute as a Dybala shot was easily gathered by Maignan. Then, in the 68th minute, AC Milan created a triple chance: Bartesaghi had a go, Ricci forced a save from Svilar, and Hermoso cleared a Leão shot off the line. In the 80th minute, Pellegrini’s free-kick struck Fofana’s arm in the wall, and the referee pointed to the spot. Dybala stepped up to take the penalty, but Maignan went the right way to make a brilliant stop. Roma’s late siege was repelled by a solid Rossoneri defence. It finished 1-0 to AC Milan.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 1-0 ROMA
AC MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan; De Winter, Gabbia, Pavlović; Saelemaekers (88' Athekame), Fofana, Modrić, Ricci, Bartesaghi; Leão (90'+3 Tomori), Nkunku (84' Loftus-Cheek). Subs: Pittarella, Terracciano; Estupiñan, Odogu; Jashari; Castiello. Coach: Allegri.
ROMA (3-5-2): Svilar; Hermoso (84' Tsimikas), Mancini, Ndicka; Çelik (76' Dovbyk), Cristante, Koné, El Aynaoui (51' Pellegrini), Wesley; Soulé (51' Bailey), Dybala (84' Baldanzi). Subs: Gollini, Vásquez; Ghilardi, Rensch, Ziółkowski; Pisilli, El Shaarawy. Coach: Gasperini.
Referee: Guida di Torre Annunziata.
Goal: 39' Pavlović (M).
Bookings: 34' El Ayanaoui (R), 74' Wesley (R), 75' Çelik (R), 83' Hermoso (R), 90'+4 Mancini (R).
Note: 82' Maignan (M) saves Dybala's (R) penalty.
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