Milan started a new Serie A season on a three-match winless run for the first time since the late 1940s as Lazio held the Rossoneri to a 2-2 draw in the capital. Paulo Fonseca’s side dropped a halftime lead at the Stadio Olimpico, casting further doubt on the Portuguese manager’s credentials.
Summer signing Strahinja Pavlovic put Milan in front after only eight minutes, heading home Christian Pulisic’s perfect corner-kick delivery. It turned out to be the halftime scoreline, with neither team creating anything noteworthy for the rest of the first half.
However, the game changed dramatically after the break. Lazio restored parity through Taty Castellanos in the 62nd minute. Only four minutes later, Nuno Tavares registered his second assist tonight, setting Boulaye Dia up on a silver platter.
Milan paid the price for becoming complacent in the second half, forcing Fonseca to go to the bench for the heavy artillery. Second-half substitutes Theo Hernandez, Tammy Abraham, and Rafael Leao combined to give the visitors an equalizer in the 72nd minute.
Leao handed Milan a point, but a three-game winless league start was hardly what the club hierarchy hoped when they appointed Fonseca as Stefano Pioli’s successor.
Milan (4-2-3-1
Mike Maignan – 6
His defense left him on an island for both goals, and he didn’t have much to do otherwise. Insecure when asked to use his feet.
Emerson Royal – 2
A terrible performance from the former Tottenham right-back! He lost track of Tavares for both Lazio goals and had countless defensive errors.
Fikayo Tomori – 5.5
The Englishman was supposed to be Milan’s leader at the back but was well below his standard this evening.
Strahinja Pavlovic – 7
The Serbia international’s aerial ability was notable against Parma, and he grabbed his first Milan goal tonight with a header. He was undoubtedly the best visiting player tonight.
Filippo Terracciano – 6
Filling Hernandez’s shoes is an arduous task as the ex-Hellas Verona defender had to learn the hard way. Unconvincing on either side of the pitch.
Tijjani Reijnders – 6
Despite keeping the ball moving with short passes in the first half, the Dutchman lacked decisiveness in the crucial moments.
Youssouf Fofana – 5.5
It was a disappointing match for the marquee summer acquisition. In addition to picking up a needless booking, he made too many wrong passes in the opening third
Christian Pulisic – 7.5
Milan’s liveliest performer chipped in with an assist and made the visitors look threatening with every touch of the ball.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6
Apart from several electrifying forward runs, the robust midfielder struggled to impact proceedings in the final third.
Samuel Chukwueze – 5.5
After an impressive pre-season, the Nigerian’s disastrous start to the new campaign hit a new low as he did nothing to trouble Lazio’s backline.
Noah Okafor – 6
The Swiss’ commitment was commendable, but he couldn’t make the difference again.
Substitutes
Rafael Leao – 7
Theo Hernandez – 6.5
Tammy Abraham – 7
Yunus Musah – 6.5
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