It was Ante Rebic's furious finish that cancelled out Jordan Veretout's equaliser at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A - and it is Milan who are back to winning ways against Roma, albeit not without a cost. The visitors lost two players across the second half to injury, in the matchwinner and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and they may be left to sweat on just what a toll victory has extracted. At full-time, it has finished Roma 1-2 Milan.
Stefano Pioli's men have done the job - they have a first league win in three and they close the gap to four points behind rivals Inter. It's still going to require a slip-up from their San Siro neighbours, but they're full back, breathing down their necks now.
For Paulo Fonseca's side, it is a frustrating result. They threw everything but the kitchen sink at points today, and were unlucky with a few calls. But then again, had Milan managed to avoid the offside trap in the first half, this could have been a different story altogether. Fine margins, eh?
Cronaca
Formazioni
Statistiche
No time to rest though for either side; midweek action awaits on Wednesday. Fiorentina is next up for Roma, while Milan have Udinese to contend with. Until then however, thank you for joining us - and have a great week!22:46
90'+6'
FULL-TIME: ROMA 1-2 MILAN22:41
90'+5'
Castillejo gets a late booking for a sharp tackle deep inside Roma territory. The seconds are ticking down...22:41
90'+3'
Mkhitaryan! Is that the final say in this game? The attacker absolutely lashes a finish through a crowded box and Donnarumma bobbles it - but holds on to ensure there can be no chance of a poached equaliser.22:40
90'+2'
Surely this isn't another Milan injury? But it could well be. Castillejo is clipped by El Shaarawy and needs some treatment.22:38
90'
There's going to be four more added minutes in Rome. What do the hosts have here?22:38
89'
Mancini gets into a tangle with Leao and is penalised for the foul. It's simply precious minutes wasted by the hosts, and an outburst from Pellegrini does not help matters, the Roma man shown a yellow card.22:34
87'
Roma are running out of time to conjure something here. In a race that is particularly cut-throat, they would love to make it to the Champions League next year. This would have been a key result to ease their path to such a goal.22:33
85'
Calabria is flashed a yellow card now for an infringement, and from the resulting free-kick, Donnarumma is safe as houses for Milan again. He's had another fine performance at the back, if perhaps slightly less tested than his opposite number.22:32
83'
There's another swap for the visitors too, with Tonali replaced by Soualiho Meite.22:28
83'
Milan make their latest change now with Saelemaekers replaced by Samu Castillejo.22:28
82'
Spotted off his line, Lopez is nearly exploited by a Milan lob shot from distance, and he is forced to back-pedal desperately to ensure it doesn't fly into the back of his net. A third like that really would have summed up what Roma will feel has been a frustrating day at the office.22:27
80'
Is that a Roma penalty? Mkhitaryan and Theo Hernandez come together in a tangle of limbs inside the Milan box, moments after Donnarumma parried a close finish by the former. It's messy, and looks to be close, but the referee is not interested, and awards a free-kick against the hosts instead, booking the Armenia international for his reaction.22:26
79'
Pedro has replaced Mayoral too for the hosts as they look to conjure up something here.22:30
79'
Goalscorer Veretout has played his part for Roma today. He's off now and Amadou Diawara is on.22:29
78'
Milan go close now, a free-kick for a foul on Krunic allowing them to pepper the box with a neat delivery. It's a top save from Lopez, reversing his trajectory to meet it, and Roma manage to clear their lines before the visitors can poach their third of the game.22:23
75'
Close for Roma! Peres is the one nearest to a lovely cross tipped over the crowded box by Mancini and Donnarumma does well to keep his save in the field of play. The hosts are pushing for a point - and maybe more - hard here.22:28
72'
Mayoral! That would have been an absolutely delicious finish from the forward if it had been a foot lower, the striker cutting into the Milan box, stepping back on himself in a neat pirouette and lobbing a shot just over the far top corner.22:17
71'
Milan muscle downfield for a corner now, a set-piece that comes to nothing as Roma pressure them enough to spurn their chances. We're into the final quarter of the game now.22:17
70'
Stephan El Shaarawy is the latest new face for Roma, with Villar the man he replaces.22:15
67'
This isn't great news for Milan; they have a second injury to contend with and it's another key performer, in Rebic. The goalscorer is not happy with something in his leg and he signals to the bench. He's off; Rade Krunic will replace him.22:12
65'
Pellegrini! A flick header from the Roma man almost wrongs Donnarumma but he does enough to cover himself and collect without complicating things.22:10
64'
Half-chances at both ends now. Rebic sees a ball he's chasing hard swept out by Lopez from under his feet and then Mkhitaryan pulls a finish well across the face of the Milan goal in response.22:08
62'
Roma make a change as they look to chase this one down, with Fazio replaced by Bruno Peres.22:07
60'
Milan have creeped in front in terms of total possession now, but only just; they're hovering at 51 per cent, showcasing just how even-keeled this game has become. What can Roma do to respond themselves now?22:06
58'
Saelemaekers had a couple of options to pick out in front of him there, and he chose the right one. Lopez will be kicking himself; it wasn't the easiest of shots to stop but he put himself under unnecessary pressure with that poor distribution.22:05
58'
GOAL! ANTE REBIC RESTORES MILAN'S LEAD! 2-1! That's just the ticket for the visitors! A poor ball out from Lopez at the back allows them to come forward, and the winger is slipped around the box on the left edge. He takes two steps, looks up, and lashes a finish across the goalkeeper, in at the far post. Top-drawer.
Is something up with Zlatan Ibrahimovic? He chops a poor shot wide now but appears to be struggling with a thigh issue. Milan make the call. He's off, replaced by Rafael Leao. That could be a longer-term concern for Pioli if his star striker is injured.22:01
54'
Roma almost cue up a glorious chance for a second, only for Tomori to intercept that final ball in the box. It very nearly got the better of the England international but he proves sharp enough to stop it.22:01
52'
Now who rallies? The momentum has fallen for Roma with that one, and it is the turn of Milan to chase a response after the blow of conceding. Will this game open up even more or are we in for a cagier affair?21:57
50'
Spinazzola notches up the assist, holding that delivery for just the extra moment to help draw Milan's defence out of shape. That is a cracking bit of work from Roma.21:56
50'
GOAL! JORDAN VERETOUT LEVELS FOR ROMA! 1-1! What a strike that is too! The hosts play themselves in down the left edge and the midfielder steps around two defenders, twists into the box, and lifts a powerful finish towards the right post that flashes past Donnarumma into the back of the net. Game on.
Milan almost prove that point immediately with a flying break down the centre-flank and a skewed shot tucked just the wrong side of the left post. They're looking dangerous again.21:56
47'
Roma will look to avoid suffering that early onslaught of attacking pressure Milan launched at them in the initial stages of the first half. Both of the visitors' disallowed goals came during that blitz of attacking power.21:55
46'
The yellow card is out again before we've even see a minute of the new half, this time for Saelemaekers as he comes in with a kung-fu style tackle that catches Fazio around the knee. It's rash and a bit stupid; he can't have much complaint.21:52
46'
There has been a change at the break for Milan too, with Calhanoglu off and Brahim Díaz on in his place.21:52
46'
We are back underway in Rome for the second half of this Serie A clash. Can Milan build on that late lead or will Roma find a way back into this one?21:51
Fine margins, that's what's in this game, and Roma may feel very hard done by to have gone down to a penalty. They weathered that early Milan storm with a bit of luck but have firmly brought themselves back into this game in terms of time on the ball. Let's see what they can do next.21:37
Franck Kessie's penalty courtesy of a Federico Fazio foul confirmed by VAR is the difference at Stadio Olimpico in Serie A at the break - and it is the visitors who are on the front foot. Both sides have seen goals chalked off by technology though in a pulsating encounter; this one, on paper, remains there for the taking. At half-time, it is Roma 0-1 Milan.21:36
45'+2'
HALF-TIME: ROMA 0-1 MILAN21:35
45'
Roma remain furious with that one, and Karsdorp looks to respond with a shot from distance that takes a deflection to send it soaring away in the wrong direction. There will be two added minutes before the break.21:36
43'
GOAL! FRANCK KESSIE PUTS MILAN IN FRONT FROM THE SPOT! 1-0! The midfielder converts the penalty with a stuttering run and a low-footed finish into the bottom-right corner that Lopez tracks well but can't quite keep out. The visitors have their lead.
It's a penalty to Milan! VAR shows that the infringement took place inside the box and the referee points to the spot. Roma are furious. Kessie will take.21:31
41'
Fazio is booked for that challenge but is there something more to it? There's going to be a VAR check to see if it was on the edge of the box or just inside. Could Milan have a penalty?21:30
40'
This looks like a problem for Calabria on the edge of Roma's box. The Milan defender crumples after what appears to be a stamp tackle from Fazio and play is ultimately brought to a halt for him to get some treatment.21:28
39'
Mkhitaryan! It's a golden run from the Roma attacker, tracked just onside to slip between the last two Milan defenders. They do enough to move him to the side, admittedly, but the striker should do better with the attempted chip shot finish he tries on Donnarumma, skewing well wide to the left.21:27
37'
How has Pellegrini not tucked that one away there? The Roma man has not one, not two but three bites of the cherry after Milan's defence appears to fall asleep, and it is the work of Donnarumma and the lone awake defender Kjaer who ensure he can't pop a tidy finish home from near the six-yard area.21:25
35'
There's not really been any serious respite for Lopez today and now he has to bat away a strike from Saelemaekers that wins Milan another corner. Again, the keeper rises to the challenge and belts away the incoming ball.21:23
33'
Rebic! That is a powerful strike, turned on a dime inside the Roma box and fired towards the top-left corner. Lopez does superbly to parry it away and then Milan can't make anything stick at the corner.21:21
31'
There have been more mad games this season, but it's hard to work out how many of them can match this for strikes chalked off at such strident frequency. Now Roma tear away down the Milan end of the pitch, and appeal for a penalty after a sharp foul on the edge of the box. The referee is utterly disinterested in anything spawning from that.21:20
28'
Tomori clears the delivery only as far out as a corner, which Roma return - and head home! Remarkably, it's another disallowed goal, with Mancini ruled to have fouled Hernandez before Mkhitaryan nodded in. Three of them in the first half-hour. What entertainment.21:20
27'
Kjaer hits the woodwork! That is nerve-rattlingly close for Milan, as a corner swings in and he crashes a header into the crossbar. Roma counter smartly and draw the foul out on the right wing for a dangerous free-kick of their own.21:17
24'
It's three shots for the hosts against seven for the visitors so far. Pioli is out on the sidelines, barking instructions at Milan; they've allowed the hosts to regather some balance after that frantic opening.21:20
22'
Veretout! Roma have their best chance of the game so far, flooding the Milan box, and the midfielder pulls the trigger on a cut-back delivery that's just too underpowered in the end. Better from the hosts though, who are growing in confidence.21:11
20'
A nervy moment for Milan as they fail to clear the delivery at the first time of asking, but the looped return lands safely in Donnarumma's gloves.21:08
19'
Tomori gets a block in as Roma carve out a flying counter down the left wing and the hosts will have a corner of their own after the ball splashes into the side netting.21:08
17'
Rebic becomes the latest Milan man to have a pop at goal, the winger forcing Lopez to tip his finish around the left post. The visitors flash a promising header over the crossbar a moment later from the subsequent corner.21:06
15'
Roma have their first serious spell of promising possession, holding it deep around the Milan box but unable to create a seriously intelligent opportunity for themselves to exploit.21:04
13'
A corner for the visitors comes to nothing, played short and wasted, but Milan reclaim the ball in midfield before Roma can even entertain thoughts of a serious counter-attack. That's some ruthless repossession.21:01
11'
Two goals chalked off for offside inside the first 10 minutes; it has been anything but a slow start to this one. Milan are looking very much in the mood up front today, all toothy energy and flying deliveries.20:59
9'
Ibrahimovic again! The flag once more denies Milan, who could be two up here already, as the striker latches onto Rebic's neat ball inside the box, two-on-one with Lopez after another defensive mix up from Roma. This could be a long night for the hosts; they've ridden their luck so far. 20:57
7'
VAR spent a long time debating that Tomori no-goal, it should be said, but it isn't clear why; at least three Milan men were all comfortably offside. It was a smart, easy call for the linesman with the flag.20:55
5'
What on earth are Roma doing right now? A pass back to Lopez is botched entirely by the hosts and Ibrahimovic seizes it away from the goalkeeper. There's enough pressure to ensure his effort is scuffed and it ultimately rolls wide at the left post. This is barmy stuff.20:54
4'
Milan have the ball in the goal! But it's going to be offside, a poacher's effort at close-range after Roma failed to clear their line, poked in by Tomori at the left post after a kind deflection that nevertheless left him standing in front of the last defender.20:54
3'
Ibrahimovic! It's the first good chance of the game and Lopez pulls off the save to tip the Swede's close-range finish, played in with a one-two alongside Rebic, over the crossbar.20:51
2'
It's an expansive opening few minutes, both sides running dangerous balls down the wide flanks into each other's box. The lack of a crowd certainly isn't affecting the tempo in these initial exchanges for either team.20:51
1'
We are underway in this Serie A clash between Roma and Milan!20:48
The teams are poised to emerge in Rome and we are moments away from kick-off.20:41
The drop in form for Milan has arguably been coming for a while but, even so, it has been a bit of a shock to the system for today's visitors. A slip-up here could prove fatal in the title race, particularly if they come away empty-handed entirely.20:34
Subs: Ciprian Tatarusanu, Diogo Dalot, Samu Castillejo, Alessio Romagnoli, Jens Petter Hauge, Rafael Leao, Soualiho Meite, Pierre Kalulu, Brahim Diaz, Rade Krunic, Matteo Gabbia, Antonio Donnarumma.20:29
MILAN (4-2-3-1): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Davide Calabria, Simon Kjaer, Fikayo Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Sandro Tonali, Franck Kessie; Alexis Saelemaekers, Hakan Calhanoglu, Ante Rebic; Zlatan Ibrahimovic.20:29
Subs: Juan Jesus, Pedro, Marash Kumbulla, Javier Pastore, Carles Perez, Bruno Peres, Amadou Diawara, Antonio Mirante, Daniel Fuzato, Stephan El Shaarawy.20:29
ROMA (3-4-2-1): Pau Lopez; Gianluca Mancini, Bryan Cristante, Federico Fazio; Rick Karsdorp, Gonzalo Villar, Jordan Veretout, Leonardo Spinazzola; Lorenzo Pellegrini, Henrikh Mkhitaryan; Borja Mayoral.20:29
Milan make six changes from the side that edged through on away goals against Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League in midweek, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic - in the news for his comments about LeBron James this week - back to lead their attack. Roma too make a host of changes from the side who beat Braga - but they'll be without Edin Dzeko up front, following a groin strain.20:47
But to take the three points, they're going to have to get the better of Paulo Fonseca's side, the Giallorossi themselves very much embroiled in the pursuit of a Champions League spot. They've just one loss in their last five and trail Milan by only five points; a win here will close the gap.20:23
One month ago, Stefano Pioli's side were leading the charge for a first Scudetto for a decade. Fast forward to now, and the Rossoneri have dropped off the boil; back-to-back losses to Spezia and Inter has seen them surrender the summit to the latter. Victory today is paramount for their title chances.20:19
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the 2020-21 Serie A season, as former league leaders Milan look to recover some much-needed equilibrium against fellow European hopefuls Roma at Stadio Olimpico.20:15
Dove si gioca la partita:
Stadio: Olimpico Città: Roma Capienza: 72698 spettatori20:15
Roma - Milan is a match of 24 day of the season Serie A 2020/2021. The match will be 28 february at 15:00 in the stadium Olimpico in Roma. Referee of Roma - Milan will be Marco Guida with the help of Daniele Bindoni e Salvatore Longo. At VAR there will be Massimiliano Irrati.
Currently Roma is 5° in the standings with 44 points (thanks of 13 wins, 5 draws and 6 defeats); while Milan is 2° in the standings with 52 points (thanks of 16 wins, 4 pareggi and 4 sconfitte). Roma scored 48 goals and conceded 37; Milan scored 47 goals and conceded 29. The first leg Milan - Roma was played on 26 october 2020 and it ended on a 3-3 score.
At home Roma scored 30 points (9 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss). Away Milan scored 28 points (9 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss). Roma in the last three matches of the season challenged Udinese, Benevento and Mil obtaining 4 points thanks to 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss. Milan in the last three matches of the season challenged Crotone, Spezia and Inter obtaining 3 points thanks to 1 win, 0 draws and 2 losses. In the last match Roma was against Milan losing 1-2 while Milan was against Inter losing 0-3. The best scorer of the team coached by Paulo Fonseca is Jordan Veretout with 10 goals while the best scorer of the team coached by Stefano Pioli is Zlatan Ibrahimovic with 14 goals.
Roma and Milan competed 171 times in the league. In the previous matches Roma won 45 times, Milan won 75 times while the number of draw was 51.
These are the statistics of the two teams in the matches played in the season:
Where to see Roma-Milan You can see the live match Roma-Milan here on Virgilio Sport starting 15:00 CET of 28 february. Discover who will broadcast live Roma - Milan between Sky and Dazn.
