FIRST-LEG DEFEAT AT SAN SIRO

The first leg has gone the way of the Giallorossi. At San Siro, in the first act of the all-Italian Europa League quarter-final tie, the visitors emerged victorious thanks to a header from Mancini in the 17th minute. A goal that decided a tight affair where the Rossoneri had a lot of the play but were unable to break through the defensive wall erected by the Giallorossi. AC Milan created plenty of chances, most notably a Giroud effort that hit the bar in the closing stages. Svilar was also called into action on several occasions and, through his saves, prevented the Rossoneri from coming away with a draw that would have been a fairer reflection of the match. Performance-wise, the Diavolo didn't quite reach the heights of previous outings as they came up against a well-organised Roma side.  

Slightly disappointing on our part, then, but credit should also go to the visitors, who have put themselves in a good position ahead of the return leg at the Olimpico next Thursday (another 21:00 CEST kick-off). Nevertheless, Pioli's men certainly have what it takes to get back into the tie, also bearing in mind that, this evening, there were spells where they forced Roma back without allowing the Giallorossi space to counter. With a bit more precision and ruthlessness, we can still turn things around in the return fixture. Now, it's time to recover both physically and mentally ahead of Sunday's 15:00 CEST kick-off against Sassuolo. 

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v ROMA

MATCH REPORT
After two feeble attempts from the Giallorossi in the opening few minutes, Reijnders had AC Milan's first shot in the ninth minute: the Dutchman's right-footed effort was saved by Svilar. At the other end, Maignan was equal to an El Shaarawy strike. From the resulting corner, however, Mancini headed the visitors in front. A huge double chance fell our way in the 21st minute, but Lukaku headed off the line twice to deny both Giroud and then Loftus-Cheek. Reijnders had another go in the 42nd minute, but he was once again thwarted by Svilar. At the end of the first half, Spinazzola raced down the left before seeing his shot deflect off Thiaw for a corner.

The second half opened with a long-range effort from Reijnders, who once again called Svilar into action. Stefano Pioli then made his first substitution, sending on Adli for Bennacer. Roma threatened on the counter, with both Pellegrini and Cristante failing to hit the target. In the 68th minute, from an Adli corner, Hernández couldn't quite convert with his head at the far post. In the 72nd minute, Svilar was once again in place to thwart Reijnders. Three minutes later, the Roma goalkeeper turned an Adli cross-shot behind for a corner. Roma continued to stand firm: a last-ditch intervention denied Leão, while there were also big blocks to foil Adli and Theo. Then, following some great individual play from Chukwueze, Giroud struck the bar with his right foot in the 87th minute. The Rossoneri were unable to break through: it finished 1-0 to Roma.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 0-1 ROMA

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Gabbia, Hernández; Bennacer (59' Adli), Reijnders; Pulisic (78' Chukwueze), Loftus-Cheek, Leão (78' Okafor); Giroud. Subs.: Nava, Sportiello; Bartesaghi, Florenzi, Kjær, Terracciano; Musah, Zeroli; Jović. Coach: Pioli.

ROMA (4-3-3): Svilar; Çelik, Mancini, Smalling, Spinazzola; Cristante, Paredes (89' Bove), Pellegrini (89' Aouar); Dybala (80' Abraham), Lukaku (91' Llorente), El Shaarawy. Subs.: Boer, Rui Patrício; Angeliño, Karsdorp; Sanches, Zalewski; Baldanzi, João Costa. Coach: De Rossi. 

Referee: Turpin (FRA).
Goal: 17' Mancini (R)
Booked: 17' Pioli (M), 33' Pulisic (M), 38' Cristante (R), 63' Adli (M), 73' Loftus-Cheek (M)

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