100% WIN RECORD CONTINUES: ROMA BEATEN 2-1

Three out of three. The Rossoneri emerged victorious against Roma this evening to move up to nine points in the table ahead of the coming international break. After a first-half penalty from Giroud (his fourth goal of the season), Rafa netted his first goal of the campaign (on matchday 3, just like he did in 2022/23) in stunning style after the restart to secure victory at the Olimpico. Coach Pioli’s men produced a convincing performance, dominating for an hour and then holding firm following Tomori’s sending-off in the 61st minute. Although Spinazzola pulled one back in stoppage time, it didn’t matter: the Rossoneri are deservedly bringing the points back to Milan.

There were some fantastic individual displays in the capital: Loftus-Cheek, for example, was a huge presence in the middle of the park and won the penalty that led to the first goal. Thiaw once again impressed and managed the threat of Lukaku well in the final 30 minutes following the Belgian’s introduction. On a team level, the Rossoneri put together some flowing moves and the full-backs and midfielders didn’t hold back with their runs forward. So many positive things were on display in the opening hour, after which the Rossoneri also coped well with being a man down. Following the latest round of fixtures, Serie A will take a break for the upcoming international schedule. Then, it’ll be time for the derby at 18:00 CEST on Saturday 16 September.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM ROMA v AC MILAN

MATCH REPORT
It was another confident start for the Rossoneri, who broke the deadlock early on: on 6', Loftus-Cheek linked up well with Oli and went to shoot, but while making the save Rui Patrício fouled the Englishman and a penalty was eventually given following a VAR check by Raouano: from the spot, Giroud coolly stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 1-0. Roma, as usual, were compact defensively, but AC Milan were able to find spaces and after 15' a breakway by Rafa played in Reijnders, whose shot was blocked and put behind for a corner by Zalewski. After 22', Theo found Pulisic at the far post, with Chris striking it well on the volley only for Rui Patrício to pull off a great save. The Giallorossi couldn’t find any openings or solutions, with the Rossoneri again dangerous through Leão, who on 34’ twisted and turned and put a delightful ball in, but Çelik saved the day for the home side. One last push before the interval was all down to Hernández’s good work, who drove forward in his distinct way, but possibly waited a little too long to play in Pulisic, who found the way through in the box blocked. 

At the start of the second half, AC Milan doubled their lead with a piece of brilliance from Leão, who got ahead of Çelik and acrobatically volleyed home past a static Rui Patrício, going in off the inside of the far post. Space was there to exploit in transition and on 51' only a deflection stopped Loftus-Cheek a goal to make it 3-0. On 61', Tomori was given a second yellow card leaving the team down to ten men. The Giallorossi upped the tempo bringing on new signing Lukaku, while Pioli responded with Okafor and Chukwueze. Two minutes into injury-time, Roma pulled a goal back through Spinazzola, who cut back onto his right and hit a shot that unfortunately deflected off Kalulu to fly into the net and halve the deficit. In the closing minutes, the Rossoneri resisted the home side’s pressure, who produced another deflected moment (this time by Zalewski) but little else. And that was that, with AC Milan taking home three well-deserved and very important points.

MATCH DETAILS

ROMA 1-2 AC MILAN

ROMA (3-5-2): Rui Patrício; Mancini (79' Pagano), Smalling, Llorente; Çelik (70' Spinazzola), Cristante, Paredes (70' Bove), Aouar (31' Pellegrini), Zalewski; El Shaarawy (70' Lukaku), Belotti. Subs.: Boer, Svilar; Karsdorp, Kristensen, N'Dicka; Pisilli. Coach: Mourinho.

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Hernández; Loftus-Cheek (65' Kalulu), Krunić, Reijnders; Pulisic (76' Chukwueze), Giroud (70' Pobega), Leão (77' Okafor). Subs.: Sportiello, Mirante; Florenzi, Kjær, Pellegrino; Adli, Musah, Pobega, Romero. Coach: Pioli.

Referee: Rapuano from Rimini. 
Goal: 9' pen. Giroud (M), 48' Leão (M).
Booked: 18' Tomori (M), 34' Loftus-Cheek (M), 69' Paredes (R), 85' Lukaku (R), 96' Okafor (M).
Sent off: 61' Tomori (M).

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