To prove they can reopen the league race, Milan can no longer afford to slip up. Every match is now a test of maturity, and the first was the one against Lazio, who had already beaten the Rossoneri this season in the Coppa Italia.
From the very start, Sarri’s men come out strong, with Isaksen showing within the first 4 minutes that he can burn any opponent on his flank, whether it’s Estupinan or Pavlovic. In this early phase, Milan respond to Lazio’s bursts with a solid containment phase and build-up attempts that, however, prove ineffective.
In the 24th minute, Taylor hits the crossbar, sending chills down the Rossoneri’s spines. Despite increasing the pressure, they continuously risk conceding chances, like the one that in the 27th minute leads to Lazio’s goal through Isaksen.
After going behind, Milan fail to react, often even allowing the Biancocelesti to break on the counter. No playable balls reach Pulisic and Leao, and the crosses into the box are consistently neutralized by Lazio’s rearguard. The first half ends like this, with Milan trailing and never truly dangerous.
Back on the pitch, Allegri’s men try to shake things up, with Pulisic and Fofana firing the team’s first shots on target around the 51st minute. The illusion is that Milan are preparing to attack relentlessly in this second half, but in reality, the theme is one of general offensive ineffectiveness, with through balls and weak crosses that have no impact whatsoever. Meanwhile, Lazio begin to manage their lead, lowering the intensity while remaining defensively solid. Rossoneri pride and persistence only emerge around the 77th minute, with a series of corners, long-range shots and balls thrown into the box that reek more of desperation than anything else.
Indeed, the match ends there, with a second half completely devoid of emotion, in which Lazio expertly managed the 1-0 lead, and Milan kept hoofing balls and attempting aimless long-range shots. What could have been a demonstration of maturity and strength turned out to be a completely lifeless performance, adding to the list of wasted opportunities for Allegri’s men to reopen a league race that is essentially over.
