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Serie A highlights: AC Milan maintain Inter pressure after thrashing 3-1 over Roma

On the 20th Serie A matchday, Milan hosted Roma at San Siro home stadium and proved their overwhelming strength with a jubilant 3-1 victory. This result helped them to narrow the gap with the top team Inter Milan to only 1 point.
Harry Siuu
By: Harry Siuu

AC Milan vs AS Roma Preview

Mourinho’s squad often met trouble when playing away games. They have lost 6 per 11 away games this season, including a catastrophic 1-6 defeat against underdogs Bodo Glimt. Thus, the next clash against AC Milan giants in the 20th Serie A game would be a real challenge for the Giallorossi. 

 

Roma were standing 6th on the 2021-22 Serie A standings with 10 wins, 2 draws and 7 losses. Their performances were often unstable and gained points thanks to some individuals’ shining. 

 

On the other side, Milan have been considered one of the strongest teams in Serie A this season. They were standing second on the league table with 42 points after 19 games. Although their form has been not good recently with 5 out of 8 games without winning, they were still too strong to face AS Roma

 

Key players of Milan like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Rafael Leao and Ante Rebic were ready for the game against Roma while some others like Castillejo, Pellegri, Kjaer, Bennacer and Kessie could not play. As for Roma, they also had to manage to play without Spinazzola and Borja due to injury and Covid-19. In addition, Diawara and Darboe returned to their home countries for CAN. 

 

Since December 2019, Roma have not gained perfect 3 points when facing Milan in all competitions. Accompanying with their low form recently, the ability for another loss of Roma was foreseen. 

 

Milan vs Roma

Milan 3-1 Roma

XI line-ups:

  • AC Milan: Mike Maignan, Alessandro Florenzi (Andrea Conti 77'), Matteo Gabbia, Pierre Kalulu, Theo Hernandez, Rade Krunic (Tiémoué Bakayoko 64'), Sandro Tonali, Junior Messias, Brahim Diaz (Paolo Maldini 88'), Alexis Saelemaekers (Leao 64'); Olivier Giroud (Zlatan Ibrahimovic 77').
  • AS Roma: Rui Patricio, Gianluca Mancini, Chris Smalling, Roger Ibanez, Jordan Veretout (Afena-Gyan 71'), Rick Karsdorp, Lorenzo Pellegrini (El Shaarawy 71'), Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Matías Vina ( Bryan Cristante 71'), Nicolò Zaniolo (Carles Perez 85'), Tammy Abraham (Eldor Shomurodov 76'). 

 

AC Milan joined the game with their highest determination to get perfect 3 points. The home team attacked and controlled the ball right after the beginning whistle resounded. In the 5th minute, VAR was used and confirmed that Abraham had a handball inside the box. AC Milan were then given a penalty and experienced forward Olivier Giroud did not waste his chance to earn the first goal for the Rossoneri in the 8th minute. 

 

Giroud opens the scoring for Milan

 

Milan kept pressing to find their next opportunities. In the 15th minute, Alessandro Florenzi’s shot was surprising but goalie Patricio saved it in time. However, he couldn’t imagine that Milan’s real second goal would come just 2 minutes later. In the 17th minute, Giroud’s kicked after Milan's defensive mistake was denied by the post but Messias appeared in time to counter-attack and increase the lead for the home team. 

 

Roma tried to counterattack but their attempts seemed to be too small prior to Milan’s solid defensive players. It was not until the 40th minute that visitors could celebrate their first goal. Captain Pellegrini took a long shot. It reached Abraham’s position and the player immediately made a gentle shot to end up in the back of Milan’s net. 

 

In the second half, opportunities came to both teams frequently. In the 51st minute, Brahim Diaz had a clear chance but his kick reached the bar regretfully. After that moment, the visiting team also earned shots in the 59th and 62nd minutes but they could not overcome Maignan’s excellence. 

 

Unfortunately for Roma when being led a goal, Rick Karsdor got his second yellow card in the game and leave the pitch in the 74th minute. The visitors had to play with just 10 people and they managed not to be conceded more. However, Milan players continually attacked and they finally gained the third goal in the 82nd minute. Ibrahimovic, who joined the game in the second half, made a perfect assist for Rafael Leao to finish. The final score was 3-1 for Milan

 

Milan players had a great night at San Siro playing against Roma

 

With this victory, AC Milan consolidated their second rank with 45 points after 20 games, having 1 point less than the top team Inter Milan who had 46 points after 19 games. Whereas, Mourinho’s squad was down to the 7th position with just 32 points in total.  

Reference Sources

  • legaseriea.it
  • vavel.com
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Harry Siuu
Written by: Harry Siuu
a specialized football specialist with over ten years' experience as a football journalist who works for Betimate.com.

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