After the important win against SPAL, Pioli was hoping to add another three points to his tally this evening. However, after a very close tie, Lazio snatched the win in the final stages of the game.
Milan started the clash quite well, looking much better compared to the clash against SPAL on Thursday evening. Even though there were some misplaced passes, the Rossoneri players committed far less individual errors, which resulted in a better flow to their play.
Five minutes in though, Paqueta gave away the ball in a dangerous position, as Lazio set off on a counter-attack. In the end, Donnarumma was forced to a good save on Immobile, who tried his trademark finish to the side of the goalkeeper. In other words, the mistakes still created issues for the Rossoneri, although it looked better.
Paqueta got Milan’s first chance of the game after 21 minutes as he overlapped Castillejo on the right flank, receiving a nice pass from the Spaniard. However, the midfielder could have done a lot better, as his effort was comfortably saved by Strakosha. Perhaps, he thought he had less time to work with the ball.
In the following attack, Immobile came close as he hit the bar for Lazio. As a response, after winning the ball straight after, Calhanoglu picked out Castillejo with a lovely long-range pass across the pitch. Once again, Strakosha managed to keep out the effort, with Milan getting closer to a goal.
Instead, in the 25th minute, Immobile (of course) broke the deadlock as the Biancocelesti caught the Rossoneri defence off guard on the counter-attack. Given their promising the start to the game, it was perhaps a bit unlucky for Pioli’s men. Then again, Lazio had their fair share of chances as well before the opener.
Just three minutes later, Milan got paid for their efforts as Hernandez found Piatek in the box. The Pole managed to get a toe on the ball, scoring the equaliser for his side. After watching the replays, though, it’s safe to say he got a little bit lucky as the ball came off Bastos after his touch. However, the Rossoneri no.9 was awarded the goal.
In the 35th minute, Castillejo was forced to leave the pitch after a bright start to the game. Rebic came on to replace the injured winger, making his first appearance in two games. Of course, given that Suso also is injured, it could turn out to be costly for the San Siro side.
After the equaliser, Milan continued to create a few half-chances, just like Lazio. Calhanoglu nearly scored from a corner as he fooled Strakosha, who just about managed to save the shot, which was confirmed by the goal-line technology. Had it gone in, it would have been a spectacular goal by the Turk.
The second half was vastly different from the first, as both sides switched off in the attack. As a result of this, the last 45 offered few chances, and the game could have gone either way at the point.
Pioli decided to take off Paqueta in favour of Leao, with the Rossoneri switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation. This meant that Calhanoglu got a more advanced role, while the Portuguese youngster drifted to the left flank. Just two minutes after coming on, he nearly got on the scoresheet as he combined with Milan’s no.10, but Milinkovic-Savic stopped him in the last second.
As mentioned, fewer chances were created in the second half as both sides decided to sit back at 1-1. In the 83rd minute, once again on a counter-attack, Lazio found the back of the net as Donnarumma had no chance in the one-on-one with Correa. For Milan, it was a tough goal to swallow after a pretty good performance up until that point.
The Rossoneri did their best to try and get back into the game, but ultimately failed as Strakosha wasn’t troubled in goal. Yet another disappointing defeat for Milan and their first against Lazio at the San Siro in 30 years. Next weekend, they will face Juventus at the Allianz Stadium, which will be an even tougher task.
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