AC Milan 1-1 AS Roma: Dybala on target as Giallorossi draw with Rossoneri
AC Milan remains unbeaten in their last four matches across all competitions following a 1-1 draw against Roma at San Siro. This result allowed Roma to secure only their fifth away point in Serie A this season, yet they continue to search for their first victory on the road.
Despite both teams experiencing lackluster domestic campaigns, they aimed for consecutive wins and started the match with enthusiasm. A free-kick taken by Tijjani Reijnders in the fifth minute was initially mishandled by goalkeeper Mile Slivar, who ultimately managed to recover the ball.
At the opposite end, Mike Maignan was not significantly challenged by attempts from Paulo Dybala and Mats Hummels. However, a combination play between Dybala and Alexis Saelemaekers set up Artem Dovbyk, whose low shot hit the post and was cleared away.
The Giallorossi lamented that missed opportunity in the 16th minute when Youssouf Fofana advanced the ball past the halfway line, linked up with Álvaro Morata, and then assisted Reijnders, who scored with a first-time shot to give Milan the lead.
Nevertheless, their advantage was short-lived, as Dovbyk skillfully flicked Niccolò Pisilli’s pass to Dybala, who volleyed the ball past Maignan, equalizing the score in a stylish manner and marking Roma's first away league goal within the first 25 minutes since October 2023.
The score remained level at halftime, although Milan's manager Paulo Fonseca was dismissed after receiving 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 opportunity, while Samuel Chukwueze and Ismaël Bennacer both forced impressive saves from Slivar before the hour mark.
As the second half progressed, Claudio Ranieri’s team managed to absorb the pressure and gain momentum. With both Pisilli and Emerson Royal failing to find the target, the match remained finely poised as it approached the final ten minutes.
The home team owed their point to Maignan, who made a crucial save in the closing moments. A corner kick was directed towards the edge of the box by Stephan El Shaarawy, but the French goalkeeper's strong intervention kept the ball from reaching the top corner.
As a result of the draw, Milan maintained their unbeaten home record over the last two months of 2024 and have not lost at home to Roma since 2017, although they remain outside the European qualification spots.
On the other hand, Roma have now gone three matches without defeat, despite a streak of 12 games without an away league victory, and currently occupy a position just within the top half of the table.
SportsLigue