In a thrilling Serie A clash, AC Milan continued their perfect start to the new season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.
The game featured an early penalty from Olivier Giroud and a stunning volley from Rafael Leao, while Romelu Lukaku made his debut for Roma from the bench.
Despite finishing the match with 10 men due to Fikayo Tomori’s red card, Milan secured a well-deserved win, taking their points tally to nine after three games.
Early Lead for Milan
The match began with Milan taking the lead in the ninth minute, as Rui Patricio was judged to have fouled Ruben Loftus-Cheek inside the box.
Giroud calmly converted the penalty, marking his fourth goal of the season.
Jose Mourinho, Roma’s manager, sarcastically applauded the decision from the sidelines.
Leao’s Spectacular Strike
Milan’s dominance continued, and they came close to doubling their lead in the 22nd minute when Patricio made a brilliant save to deny Christian Pulisic’s close-range volley.
However, Milan didn’t have to wait long for their second goal.
In the 47th minute, Rafael Leao brilliantly placed Davide Calabria’s cross into the net, leaving Patricio with no chance.
Leao’s goal was a true highlight of the match, and he expressed his delight in an interview after the game.
“I’ve been trying to score that goal for three years!” a delighted Leao stated later on.
Tomori’s Red Card
Milan seemed to be cruising to victory, but their task became more challenging in the 61st minute when central defender Fikayo Tomori was shown a red card for a needless foul on Andrea Belotti. Despite being reduced to 10 men, Milan remained resilient.
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Lukaku’s Introduction
With 20 minutes remaining, Jose Mourinho decided to introduce his star loan signing, Romelu Lukaku, in an attempt to salvage a result for Roma.
However, Lukaku’s impact was limited, and he managed only a snapshot that failed to change the final outcome.
Late Drama
As the game headed into stoppage time, Leonardo Spinazzola netted a late goal for Roma.
However, it wasn’t enough to alter the course of the match.
Milan emerged as worthy winners, maintaining their perfect start to the Serie A season.
Looking Ahead
Milan’s impressive start to the season has positioned them as strong contenders for the league title.
With a host of new faces and standout performances from players like Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Tijjani Reijnders, Stefano Pioli’s side looks determined to compete at the highest level.
The upcoming fixtures promise more excitement, with Napoli hosting Lazio and Inter Milan taking on Fiorentina.
Fans can also look forward to the first Milan derby of the season, set to take place after the international break.
As Pioli noted, “The derby has come early in the season… we both want the second star (for 20 league titles) on our shirt, and it will be a good chance to get a measure of ourselves.”
Roma’s Challenges
On the other hand, Roma finds themselves in a difficult position, with just one point from their first three matches and a growing list of injuries.
Houssem Aouar joined Paulo Dybala, Sardar Azmoun, and Renato Sanches on the treatment table, further complicating Mourinho’s task.
The loss to Milan has dropped Roma into the relegation zone, just above local rivals Lazio.
Mourinho will need to find solutions to his team’s early-season woes and injuries to mount a credible challenge in Serie A.
Berardi Shines for Sassuolo
In other Serie A action, Domenico Berardi made a spectacular return for Sassuolo, netting twice in a 3-1 win over Verona.
Berardi’s performance played a pivotal role in securing Sassuolo’s first win of the season after two defeats.
The Italy forward had been dropped for Sassuolo’s first two matches as he sought a move to Juventus, which ultimately did not materialize.
However, his return to the starting lineup had an immediate impact, contributing to Andrea Pinamonti’s early opener and later bagging a brace to secure the victory.
What You Should Know
Milan’s tenacity and early-season form make them strong contenders in Serie A, while Roma faces challenges that need to be addressed.
Domenico Berardi’s return to Sassuolo showcased his importance to the team’s success.
Serie A promises more thrilling encounters as the season unfolds.
