September 30, (THEWILL) – AC Milan stayed top of the Serie A table with a 2-0 home win over Lazio, on Saturday, with Rafael Leao providing two assists for Christian Pulisic and Noah Okafor.
The victory meant the Rossoneri leapfrogged curry rivals, Inter, at the summit with the latter’s midweek loss to Sassuolo and they’re own victory away at Cagliari. Manager, Stefano Pioli, welcomed back goalkeeper, Mike Maignan and defender, Davide Calabria, from injury. Lazio threatened first when Felipe Anderson hit the side-netting, but lost Ruben Loftus-Cheek to injury midway through the first half. Leao forced a save before the break, while Olivier Giroud was denied by a reflex stop from Ivan Provedel.
Milan turned up the pressure after the restart and got their breakthrough on the hour mark, as Leao crossed for Pulisic to lash home on the half-volley. Defender Fikayo Tomori almost added a second but was blocked by former Rossonero Alessio Romagnoli, now back from a broken nose. Substitute Yacine Adli was applauded off by Milan fans after an impressive performance deputising in midfield. Pedro tested Maignan from range as Lazio chased an equaliser, but the keeper was equal to it.
Lazio threw on Ciro Immobile in the final quarter but the striker could not find an opening. Instead it was Milan who doubled their advantage through Okafor’s simple finish from Leao’s cutback on the break in the dying moments. Lazio had the ball in the net via a spectacular Pedro curler late on, but it was ruled out for offside in the build-up.
The victory sees Milan maintain their position at the Serie A summit, with three points above city rivals Inter, while keeping Lazio in the second half of the table. The Rossoneri are away at Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League in their next game while Lazio travel to Celtic in the UCL as well.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
