ROSSONERI DEFEATED IN THE CAPITAL
Serie A
Rome proved a stumbling block for AC Milan, who fell to defeat on matchday 29 in Serie A. At the Stadio Olimpico, Lazio ran out 1-0 winners thanks to Isaksen's goal in the 26th minute, rewarding the Biancocelesti for their greater cutting edge (they also hit the crossbar during the first half). After a slow start, the Rossoneri grew into the game - helped by the changes from the bench - but failed to find an equaliser despite a spirited late push. On a disappointing night in the capital, we missed the chance to close the gap at the top of the table, which now stands at eight points with nine matches left to play.
Our advantage over fifth place in the race for Champions League qualification remains significant, however. The wins against Cremonese and Inter were not followed by a third successive victory, and the response to this setback will need to come in the upcoming fixtures, with this group having already shown the ability to bounce back. Focus now shifts to our next match at 18:00 CET on Saturday 21 March, as we host Torino before the final international break of the season.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM LAZIO v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
Lazio came flying out the traps, with Maignan forced into two aerial interventions in the opening two minutes. After weathering the early pressure, the Rossoneri pushed higher up the pitch and in the 10th minute Provstgaard blocked Pavlović's close-range effort in the six-yard box. The tempo remained high: in the 23rd minute Estupiñan made a good run into the box, headed the ball down and sent it just wide, while two minutes later Taylor struck the crossbar with a left-footed effort from a wide position. The deadlock was broken shortly after, as Isaksen put Lazio ahead in the 26th minute. Lifted by the goal, the hosts raised their intensity and nearly doubled their lead in the 36th minute, when Maldini fired straight at Maignan in a one-on-one situation.
The second half resumed with no changes, and in the 51st minute AC Milan created a chance through Pulisic, whose effort forced Motta into a difficult save, while Fofana could do nothing with the rebound. Attempts from Leão, Pulisic again, and Modrić couldn't change the situation, and the two coaches then made their first substitutions, with AC Milan switching to a more attacking setup and a front three after the introductions of Füllkrug and Nkunku. In the 75th minute Athekame found the net, but the move was ruled out for handball and the goal was disallowed. AC Milan kept pressing, with Pulisic trying again in the 77th minute only for Gila to make a last-ditch block, while in the 82nd minute Modrić fired just over from the edge of the box. AC Milan threw everything forward in a spirited and aggressive finish, and during a long, tense spell of stoppage time Modrić and Jashari both had further attempts, but the score remained unchanged until the final whistle.
MATCH DETAILS
LAZIO 1-0 AC MILAN
LAZIO (4-3-3): Motta; Marušić, Gila, Provstgaard, Tavares; Dele-Bashiru, Patric, Taylor (90' Belahyane); Isaksen (67' Pedro), Maldini (67' Dia), Zaccagni (83' Cancellieri). Subs: Furlanetto, Giacomone; Hysaj, Lazzari, Pellegrini; Przyborek; Noslin, Ratkov. Coach: Sarri.
AC MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori (57' Athekame), De Winter, Pavlović; Saelemaekers (84' Ricci), Fofana (67' Nkunku), Modrić, Jashari, Estupiñan (57' Bartesaghi); Pulisic, Leão (67' Füllkrug). Subs: Pittarella, Terracciano; Odogu. Coach: Allegri.
Referee: Guida from Torre Annunziata.
Goals: 26' Isaksen (L).
Booked: 55' Estupiñan (M), 70' Motta (L), 81' Tavares (L), 90'+4 Pedro (L), 90'+5 Patric (L).
Sent-off: 90'+7 Sarri (L) off the bench.
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