Lazio 1-0 AC Milan: Rossoneri’s Title Hopes Crash & Burn in Rome | OneFootball

Boosted by the temporary return of their supporters, Lazio produced one of their finest performances of the season, beating AC Milan at the Stadio Olimpico thanks to Gustav Isaksen’s solitary strike.

Lazio & Milan Starting Lineups

There were hardly any surprises in Maurizio Sarri’s lineup, with Daniel Maldini leading the charge in the 4-3-3 formation once more. Mattia Zaccagni and Gustav Isaksen flanked the Milan youth product, while Patric acted as a makeshift Regista in the absence of Nicolo Rovella and Danilo Cataldi, slotting in between Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Kenneth Taylor.

On the other hand, Massimiliano Allegri started with Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic upfront. Alexis Saelemaekers and Derby hero Pervis Estupinan operated as wing-backs, while Ardon Jashari replaced the suspended Adrien Rabiot in the middle of the park, joining Luka Modric and Youssouf Fofana.

Kenneth Taylor Denied by the Post

The two sides spent the first 25 minutes trading jabs. Isaksen hit the woodwork from close range, but the referee had spotted a handball on Zaccagni in the buildup. Milan threatened through Strahinja Pavlovic, who skipped past Mario Gila, but his shot was blocked by Oliver Provstgaard. The Serbian defender was in an offside position, but he still won his team a corner kick.

The rhythm of the contest picked up after reaching the halfway point of the first period. Estpinan got on the end of a Saelemakers cross, beating Isaksen for the ball. However, the Ecuadorian’s header whistled past the post. A minute later, Lazio almost found the breakthrough aimed for goal from an acute angle, but his rocket crashed against the bar.

Gustav Isaksen Gives Lazio the Lead

Taylor’s chance proved to be the last warning for the Diavolo, as the Aquile took the lead a couple of minutes later through Isaksen. Adam Marusic sent a long ball towards the box, and the Danish winger was able to outmuscle and outpace Estupinan to put himself one-on-one with Mike Maignan, before placing an accurate low shot in the far corner.

In the 35th minute, Daniel Maldini almost pulled off a second goal in a similar fashion, as he left Koni De Winter in his dust, but his shot was too weak to trouble Maignan.

Entertaining Second Half Ends Goalless

After the break, Milan were determined to return to the contest, knowing that their entire campaign was hanging in the balance, but they weren’t able to find a way past Lazio’s robust defences. The Rossoneri only managed to threaten Edoardo Motta on a few occasions, but the young goalkeeper was up to the task. His highlight was a flying save to deny Pulusic.

The visitors had actually managed to find the back of the net on one occasion, but Zachary Athekame’s goal was immediately ruled out, as the referee saw him handling the ball. Lazio also had their moments in the second period, but it wasn’t enough to test Maignan. Nevertheless, Sarri’s men were happy to sit back and absorb the pressure.

In the end, the fans’ return to the stadium proved to be Lazio’s Lucky Charm, as the team climbed to 9th place in the table thanks to a morale-boosting victory that may have handed the Scudetto title to Inter Milan.

Lazio 1-0 Milan

Lazio (4-3-3): Motta; Marusic, Gila, Provstgaard, Nuno Tavares; Dele-Bashiru, Patric, Taylor (89′ Belahyane); Isaksen (68′ Pedro), Maldini (68′ Dia), Zaccagni (83′ Cancellieri).

AC Milan (3-5-2) : Maignan; Tomori (58′ Athekame), De Winter, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers (85′ Ricci), Fofana (67′ Nkunku), Modric, Jashari, Estupinan (58′ Bartesaghi); Pulisic, Leao (67′ Fullkrug).

Referee: Marco Guida (Torre Annunziata section); Linesmen: Peretti – Perrotti; Fourth official: Ayroldi; VAR: Chiffi; AVAR: Maggioni

Yellow cards: 56′ Estupinan (M), 71′ Motta (L), 81′ Tavares (L), 94′ Pedro (L), 95′ Patric (L)