Game 26, Serie A
Sunday, March 2, 2025
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Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan
Milan Lazio 1-2
Lazio win in Milan thanks to a Pedro last minute penalty
The team
As in the match against Inter, Marco Baroni put Loum Tchaouna up front in place of the injured Taty Castellanos. Without Alessio Romagnoli, Samuel Gigot was put in defence with the rest of the team the usual with the return of Ivan Provedel in goal after a game of rest. Important returns on the bench: Matias Vecino and Patric were back though clearly not 100% match fit.
A very important game tonight for both teams as Milan were in deep crisis and needed a win to at least attempt to qualify for a European competition next year and Lazio, who after two consecutive draws, needed a win.
First half
Lazio started well trying to take advantage of the clearly difficult psychological moment Milan was in and in the 3rd minute Nicolò Rovella gave a splendid ball to Boulaye Dia who in the box unmarked in front of Mike Maignan tried a low shot which the keeper managed to save with his foot. Three minutes later Gustav Isaksen to Nuno Tavares who dribbled past a couple of players, went into the penalty area on the left and from the byline crossed, Strahinja Pavlovic managed to put his foot in the way and the ball went into corner shaving the post. In the 12th minute an Isaksen shot from 25 meters was only just wide. A minute later again Dia on the counter attack, Yunus Musah intervened to stop him and it looked like a foul to most but apparently VAR could see a touch on the ball by the Milan player so no foul. It should have been red, Musah was the last defender and it looked a lot like Romagnoli’s sending off against Juventus.
In the 18th minute Milan, who were wearing one of ugliest shirts I have ever seen, woke up and Rafael Leão passed to Tijiani Reijnders in the box but his shot was weak and Provedel saved.
In the 30th minute Adam Marusic on the right to Tchaouna, ball back to the defender who tried a shot that Maignan parried. In came Mattia Zaccagni ready for the tap in and it was 1-0 for the Biancocelesti.
Sergio Conceição at this point threw in João Felix and took off Musah. Milan really needed to get back in the game, the fans were booing and chanting against the presidency. Not a happy moment for the Rossoneri.
Lazio almost made it two in injury time with Zaccagni who once again shaved the post with a volley.
Second half
In the interval Baroni was forced to take off Marusic, victim of a foul from Theo Hernandez which looked as if it was intentional even if the reasonable doubt avoided him any disciplinary action. In came Manuel Lazzari. Milan too made a substitution: Kyle Walker for Alex Jimenez.
Milan much more determined now as the Biancocelesti fell back a bit. However Lazio continued to have chances. In the 50th minute Nuno Tavares crossed low from the left, perfect ball for Gigot who tried to place it in the far corner but his shot was weak. 60 seconds later a João Felix shot was just a little too high. In the 54th minute a Zaccagni special, the curling shot from the left, again only slightly too wide. A minute later João Felix close to the byline sent a low cross which Christian Pulisic could not control and the ball went out.
The possible match changer came in the 67th minute. Matteo Guendouzi to Isaksen who raced along the centre right towards the Milan goal, Pavlovic fouled him from behind. It was intentional and was dangerous, direct red card. Malick Thiaw came in for Youssouf Fofana to balance things out in defence and Samuel Chukwueze substituted Pulisic. Lazio brought in Vecino for Tchaouna, Patric for Gigot and Pedro for Zaccagni. Later Luka Jovic came in for Matteo Gabbia.
Every Lazio fan's fear, that despite the numerous chances and the extra man, Milan were going to equalise materialized in the 85th minute. Leao crossed from the left, the Biancoceleste defence was unprepared and Chukwueze headed the ball in.
Baroni took Dia off and replaced him with Tijani Noslin. The ball continued to go backwards and forwards with last passes missed or interrupted.
In the 94th minute Guendouzi to Isaksen. The Dane went into the box, Maignan came out and Isaksen went down. The ref decided not to decide as the moment was rather delicate. VAR called him and it was a penalty. The first VAR decision to go Lazio’s way this season. Pedro took the responsibility and did not miss.
Lazio won only their fourth game away to Milan since 1978. A number of miracles happened for this match to be won.
Who played for Milan
Maignan, Jimenez (46' Walker), Gabbia (83' Jovic), Pavlovic, Hernandez, Fofana (70' Thiaw), Reijnders, Musah (37' Joao Felix), Pulisic (70' Chukwueze), Leao, Gimenez
Substitutes: Sportiello, Torriani, Tomori, Bartesaghi, Bondo, Terracciano, Camarda, Abraham, Sottil
Manager: Sérgio Conceição
Who played for Lazio
Provedel, Marusic (46' Lazzari), Gigot (79' Patric), Gila, Nuno Tavares, Guendouzi, Rovella, Isaksen, Dia (88' Noslin), Zaccagni (79' Pedro), Tchaouna (58' Vecino)
Substitutes: Mandas, Furlanetto, Belahyane, Provstgaard, Ibrahimovic
Manager: Baroni.
Referee: Manganiello
Goals: 8' Zaccagni, 85' Chukwueze, 90'+8' Pedro (pen)
Booked: Gimenez (M), Leao (M), Vecino (L)
Red card: Pavlovic
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