It was a night to forget for Milan as they suffered a deafening 4-0 loss away to Lazio at Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday after a superb performance by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Milinkovic-Savic Opens Scoring
The 27-year-old helped the Biancocelesti to a breathtaking victory that put a massive dent in Milan’s hopes of regaining the Serie A title. The Serbian midfielder gave the hosts the lead inside just five minutes of play here with a composed finish inside the box after some poor Milan defending left Milinkovic-Savic completely unmarked.
Mattia Zaccagni provided the assist after some tidy work down the left flank for Lazio as they took a surprise lead without star striker Ciro Immobile.
Milan failed to get anything going throughout and were poor here, especially at the back. A glimpse of a comeback in the second half would swiftly be put to bed.
Lazio Pile on Pressure
Lazio continued to control play and stepped it up a gear with around ten minutes to go of the first half, once again working the ball well down the left flank. This time it was Pedro who created the danger, driving with the ball into the box before his pass across goal narrowly missed his man in the middle.
It wasn’t long thereafter when the home side doubled their lead, however, they got in behind the Milan defense down the right-hand side for this one. Adam Marusic was able to beat Sergino Dest after a super pass by Pedro and the defender almost got the second himself but was denied by the far post. Zaccagni finished it off nonetheless with the simplest of finishes on the rebound.
Luis Alberto Seals Victory
Visitors Milan started the second half brightly as they sought a way back into the match but they struggled to create any real chances. Rafael Leao showed sparks at points but was still sporadic in his impact, whilst substitute Alexis Saelemaekers looked bright when introduced.
However, the Milan defense was the leader of its own downfall once more on the evening after some sloppy play out of the back by Simon Kjaer. Lazio were eventually able to work the ball into the box before Pierre Kalulu gave away a cheap penalty midway through the second half. Luis Alberto made no mistake from the spot, putting the Biancocelesti three goals up.
It became an embarrassment for the Rossoneri when Felipe Anderson rounded off his superb night with a goal with a composed finish past Ciprian Tatarusanu. Alberto provided the assist with a lovely through pass to carve open the weak Milan defense and make it four.
What’s Next for Lazio and Milan?
Lazio play host to Fiorentina, whilst Milan are at home to Sassuolo both on Sunday, January 29.
MATCH SCORECARD
January 23, 2023 – Serie A 2022-23 Round 19
LAZIO – MILAN 4-0
SCORERS: 4′ Milinkovic-Savic, 38′ Zaccagni, 65′ Luis Alberto pen., 75′ Felipe Anderson
 |
LAZIO (4-3-3): Provedel; Hysaj, Casale, Romagnol, Marusic (78′ Lazzari); Milinkovic-Savic (82′ Basic), Cataldi (87′ Antonio), Luis Alberto; Pedro (78′ Romero), Felipe Anderson, Zaccagni (Luís Maximiano, Adamonis, Fares, Patric, Radu, Bertini, Vecino, Cancellieri) Coach: Sarri |
 |
MILAN (4-2-3-1): Tatarusanu; Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori (24′ Kjaer), Dest; Bennacer, Tonali; Messias (59′ Messias), Diaz (59′ De Ketelaere), Leao (79′ Rebic); Giroud (59′ Origi) (Mirante, Vasquez, Bozzolan, Gabbia, Thiaw, Krunic, Pobega, Vranckx, Adli) Coach: Pioli |
REFEREE: Mr. Di Bello from Brindisi
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Bennacer, Kjaer (M), Milinkovic-Savic (L); Added Time: 1st Half 2′, 2nd Half 3′