AC Milan vs AS Roma Review
AC Milan made a strong statement in the race for the Serie A title by securing a narrow 1-0 victory over AS Roma, ending Roma’s streak of six consecutive away wins across all competitions. This highly anticipated match featured two Serie A powerhouses eager to assert their championship ambitions, with Roma having enjoyed considerable success on the road recently. Gian Piero Gasperini’s team aimed to bolster their reputation as effective travelers and started the game impressively. Bryan Cristante came close to opening the scoring with a solo attempt, and Evan Ndicka nearly converted a header from Matías Soulé’s well-placed cross.
The Rossoneri struggled to contain the relentless attacks from the Giallorossi, with Paulo Dybala missing a shot from close range inside the box. However, Roma paid the price for their wastefulness in the first half when Milan took the lead against the flow of the game. A rapid counterattack saw Rafael Leão set up Strahinja Pavlović, who scored with a precise finish. Youssouf Fofana had a chance to double the lead but frustratingly missed from close range just before halftime.
After the break, momentum appeared to shift in Milan’s favor, with Samuele Ricci’s volley narrowly missing the target before goalkeeper Mile Svilar made a crucial save. The Serbian keeper expertly blocked Leão’s shot, and a corner then deflected off Christopher Nkunku and hit the post. Roma got a lifeline when referee Marco Guida awarded a penalty after Fofana handled the ball trying to block Lorenzo Pellegrini’s free-kick from the edge of the box. However, Mike Maigan dived to his left and made an excellent save to stop Dybala’s penalty, maintaining Milan’s narrow lead.
Ultimately, Pavlović’s goal was the only difference between the teams at the final whistle, as Massimiliano Allegri’s squad stretched their unbeaten streak to 10 matches (7 wins, 3 draws) in all competitions, climbing to third place. Meanwhile, Roma fell two spots to fourth following their first away loss of the season.
