MOREIRA BRACE RESCUES POINT IN ROME
Serie A
A superb second-half response earned the Rossoneri a valuable point at the Olimpico. On Serie A Matchday 4, Lazio and AC Milan played out a 2-2 draw at the end of a game of two halves. The Biancocelesti were on top in the opening period and went into the break two goals ahead, before a resilient Rossoneri side fought back in the second half thanks to a brace from new signing Diego Moreira, who came on for Estupiñan. The team's change of pace after the break was particularly impressive following a disappointing opening 45 minutes in terms of tempo, concentration, and attacking intent. Coach Amorim made three changes at halftime, introducing Moreira and Musah as well as Christian Pulisic, who made his first appearance of the season.
The energy provided by the substitutes drove AC Milan's spirited comeback, with the Rossoneri coming close to finding a third goal in the final 15 minutes. Once again, the closing half-hour proved decisive: all seven of AC Milan's Serie A goals so far this season have come during that period. This is a team that refuses to give in and keeps pushing until the very end. Omari Hutchinson also made his AC Milan debut late on and was lively as the Rossoneri searched for a winner. A second consecutive draw following the one against Juventus leaves AC Milan unbeaten on eight points. Next up is Benfica in Europa League and Lecce on Sunday at 8:45 PM, both at San Siro before the long break.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM LAZIO v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
It was a very difficult first half for the Rossoneri, although they created the first chance after three minutes when Mandas produced a crucial save to deny Chukwueze's header. Lazio then began to take control, with Maignan making two saves from Zaccagni in the 5th minute and Noslin in the 7th. The Biancocelesti's pressure paid off in the 10th minute when Cancellieri opened the scoring, meeting Zaccagni's low cross at the far post. AC Milan responded through Chukwueze, who won a couple of challenges before firing over from the edge of the box in the 16th minute, and Modrić, who won possession and found Ramos, only for Belahyane to block his effort behind for a corner. Lazio threatened again, and Maignan made another excellent stop to deny Zaccagni before Frattesi sent a diagonal effort narrowly wide of the far post. Pavlović pushed forward in the 38th minute and headed over from inside the box, but a minute later Noslin doubled Lazio's lead, converting the rebound after Taylor's cross had come back off the crossbar. The Rossoneri had two opportunities before the break: Loftus-Cheek's deflected right-footed effort flew just over, before Gila's touch in a crowded penalty area was kept out by Mandas' sharp reflexes.
Coach Amorim made three changes at halftime, bringing on Pulisic, Moreira, and Musah, and AC Milan emerged with renewed energy and confidence. It was a different Rossoneri side after the break, playing at a much higher tempo and twice going close in the 56th minute: Chukwueze was denied with the goal at his mercy before Mandas saved Strahinja's header. The Greek goalkeeper was decisive again in the 60th minute, getting behind Pulisic's powerful right-footed strike at the second attempt. The goal AC Milan deserved finally arrived in the 65th minute, Moreira scoring with a superb left-footed volley. Two minutes later, Moreira struck again, firing home left-footed from the edge of the box to make it 2-2 with two goals in two minutes and complete a rapid comeback. Cisse came close to completing the turnaround in the 77th minute, sending a curling right-footed effort narrowly wide on the run. Hutchinson immediately threatened with his first touch, delivering a dangerous cross that Mandas managed to palm away. Moreira continued to cause problems and, after being played in by Pulisic in the 80th minute, fired into the side netting. In the 94th minute, Hutchinson tried his luck with a powerful long-range free kick, but Mandas made the save. There was no further action as the game finished 2-2.
MATCH DETAILS
LAZIO 2-2 AC MILAN
LAZIO (4-3-3): Mandas; Floriani (84' Lazzari), Šutalo (84' Leite), Provstgaard, Tavares; Frattesi, Belahyane, Taylor (74' Guðmundsson); Cancellieri (58' Isaksen), Noslin (58' Pinamonti), Zaccagni. Subs.: Motta, Renzetti; Bordon, Pedraza; Cataldi, Farcomeni, Przyborek; Serra. Coach: Gattuso.
AC MILAN (3-4-2-1): Maignan; Gila, De Winter, Pavlović; Chukwueze, Modrić (46' Musah), Rabiot, Estupiñan (46' Moreira); Loftus-Cheek (46' Pulisic), Cisse (77' Hutchinson); Ramos (85' Camarda). Subs.: Terracciano P., Torriani; Bartesaghi, Diawara, Gabbia, Terracciano F., Tomori; Comotto, Jashari, Saelemaekers. Coach: Amorim.
Referee: Marcenaro from Genova.
Goal: 10' Cancellieri (L), 39' Noslin (L), 65' Moreira (M), 67' Moreira (M).
Booked: 59' Pulisic (M), 63' Belahyane (L), 64' Pavlović (M), 78' Zaccagni (L), 86' Gila (M)
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