AC Milan vs AS Roma Review
AC Milan are currently on a four-match unbeaten streak across all competitions following a 1-1 draw against Roma at San Siro. This result earned Roma their fifth away point in Serie A this season, although they still have not secured an away victory. Both teams, despite their disappointing domestic performances, aimed for consecutive wins and started the match energetically. A free-kick from Tijjani Reijnders in the fifth minute was initially mishandled by goalkeeper Mile Slivar, but he managed to recover the ball on his second attempt. At the other end, Dybala and Alexis Saelemaekers worked together to set up Artem Dovbyk, whose low shot hit the post and went out.
Roma were left regretting a missed opportunity in the 16th minute when Youssouf Fofana advanced the ball past the halfway line during a counter-attack, linked up with Álvaro Morata, and set up Reijnders for a first-time shot that gave Milan the lead. However, their advantage was short-lived, as Dovbyk skillfully flicked Niccolò Pisilli’s pass to Dybala, who volleyed it beautifully past Maignan to equalize, marking Roma’s first away league goal within the first 25 minutes since October 2023.
The score remained tied until halftime, although Milan’s manager Paulo Fonseca was sent off for two yellow cards. Despite being without a manager in the second half, the Rossoneri pressed forward in search of their 80th victory over Roma.
Fofana missed a close-range chance, while Samuel Chukwueze and Ismaël Bennacer both forced impressive saves from Slivar before the hour mark. Claudio Ranieri’s team managed to withstand the pressure and gain momentum as the half progressed, and with Pisilli and Emerson Royal both failing to hit the target at either end, the match remained evenly poised as it approached the final 10 minutes.
The home team owed their point to Maignan, who made a crucial save late in the game when Stephan El Shaarawy connected with a corner at the edge of the box, and the French goalkeeper’s strong hand kept it from hitting the top corner. This draw allowed Milan to remain unbeaten at home for the last two months of 2024 and against Roma at home since 2017, although they are still outside the European qualification spots. On the other hand, Roma are now three matches without a loss, despite having gone 12 games without an away league victory, and they currently sit just in the top half of the table.
