Lazio 0-1 AC Milan: Noah Okafor grabs late winner as Rossoneri edge past eight-man hosts

AC Milan won 1-0 at Lazio in Serie A on Friday thanks to a late goal by forward Noah Okafor. The hosts were reduced to eight men in stoppage time, causing chaos.

Milan, who ended their three-game winless streak across all competitions, are third in the league standings with 56 points.

They are one point behind second-placed Juventus, who travel to Napoli on Sunday, and 13 behind leaders Inter Milan, who face Genoa on Monday.

"In the last away matches we had conceded too many goals, being punished at the slightest chance," coach Stefano Pioli told a press conference.

"(But) the group works well, is compact and wants to do well from here to the end."

Milan conceded eight goals in their previous three away games, all against teams in the bottom half of the table.

Following a lack of action and chances in the first half, Milan maintained their possession advantage, and substitute Okafor scored in the 88th minute on a rebound from near the penalty spot, after his initial shot was saved by Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel.

Okafor, along with teammate Luka Jovic and Inter striker Lautaro Martinez, has scored the most goals from the bench (four) in the Italian top flight this season.

Rafael Leao thought he had broken the deadlock for the visitors earlier in the second half, but his shot, which deflected off both Lazio defender Mario Gila and Provedel, was ruled out for offside following a VAR review in the 76th minute.

Lazio were reduced to ten men just before the hour mark when defender Luca Pellegrini received a second yellow card for attempting to unlawfully stop Christian Pulisic after losing the ball.

The hosts finished the game with eight players after defender Adam Marusic was sent off for a challenge on Leao in stoppage time, and midfielder Matteo Guendouzi received a straight red for retaliating after being pulled by Pulisic.

Lazio became the first Serie A team to receive three red cards in a single game since Palermo did against Bologna in 2012.

Milan will face Empoli on March 10 after hosting Slavia Prague in the Europa League last-16 first leg on Thursday.

Lazio, who remain ninth in the league standings with 40 points after losing three of their last four league games, face Udinese on March 11.

Maurizio Sarri's side travel to Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday, hoping to defend their 1-0 lead from the first leg.

SportsLigue