AC Milan and Roma’s 3-3 at the San Siro included everything. The game included early goals, set-piece goals, penalties and several bookings. Both of these teams know that they will be neck and neck all season long in the race for the top four, and this kind of match is exactly what Serie A fans expected.
AC Milan and Roma Draw in Thrilling Fashion at the San Siro
End-to-End First Half
Milan started the first half with a bang. Rafael Leão chipped the perfect ball into Roma’s box, allowing for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to convert with ease. The goal means he has kept his hot streak of goals going, with five in five in Serie A so far. Due to Milan’s recent form, it looked like it was their game early on.
Just over 10 minutes later, however, it was Edin Džeko who found the bag of the net for Roma. Gianluigi Donnarumma was out due to a positive COVID-19 test, so Ciprian Tătăruşanu manned the net for the Rossoneri. He failed to punch the ball out from a corner, so Džeko had an easy header into a wide-open net.
After Džeko’s goal, the Roma players were aware of the massive gap between Tătăruşanu and Donnarumma. They began to fire shots at will. Tătăruşanu saved a couple of shots, but his play kept Milan’s defence on their toes as he constantly batted shots away instead of making catches.
Milan’s attack turned it up a notch afterwards, realising they needed to build a solid lead to overcome goalkeeping shortcomings. Simon Kjaer hit the post off a corner, and Hakan Calhanoglu had a wonderful free-kick saved by Antonio Mirante. The Rossoneri failed to score for the remainder of the half, and the two teams were tied 1-1 at the half.
Thrilling Finish
Just like the first, Milan started the second half with a bang. Just two minutes in, Leão sprinted down the left-wing and beat Rick Karsdorp with a touch of skill, crossed the ball into Roma’s box to Alexis Saelemaekers, and the Belgian slotted it in the back of the net.
After that goal, the second half remained even with Milan and Roma both having their chances. In the 70th minute, however, Roma were given a questionable penalty, as it looked as if Ismael Bennacer got the ball inside the box, but referee Piero Giacomelli thought otherwise. Leão was given a yellow card for arguing the decision, before Jordan Veretout converted the penalty for Roma shortly after.
Less than 10 minutes later, Calhanoglu was fouled inside of Roma’s box, and Milan were given their own penalty. The penalty call looked questionable, and it seemed as if it was a make-up call for Roma’s earlier penalty. Ibrahimovic converted and got himself his third league brace in three games.
Roma fought hard to get back in the game, and in the 84th minute, Marash Kumbulla equalised off another corner. Franck Kessie and Alessio Romagnoli had excellent chances to score the winner in the dying embers of the match, but neither could convert their headers.
What’s Ahead for AC Milan?
Milan’s next six include three Serie A matches and three in the Europa League. They should see victory over both Udinese and Hellas Verona, but their match versus Napoli on November 22nd can go either way. Their next Europa League match is versus Sparta Prague, but after that they play Lille twice in a row. Lille are currently second in Ligue 1, so expect fireworks in those matches. The Rossoneri, however, need to get healthy quickly, as Donnarumma and Ante Rebic are crucial to the team.
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