Lineups!

Injuries

Milan: Andrea Conti is still nursing that knee while Marco Storari will be missing in action yet again.

Roma: Maxime Gonalons & Rick Karsdorp

First Half

What a strange first 45 minutes it was at Roma. It was clear to everyone watch Gennaro Gattuso’s AC Milan were up for the fight, pressing early with one of the highest lines we’ve seen in some time. Ricardo Rodriguez and Davide Calabria would have to be on their best form if they were going to put up with the wing play from Roma’s Schick, and Perotti.

The match seemed destined for a stalemate, as both sides were passive aggressive in their attack, never committing too much in either direction as to not tip the scales.

Many spectators were originally critical of the play from our wingers, Suso and Hakan. A trend has developed within this squad that when those two aren’t playing their best football, it transpires to the rest of the squad. That was certainly the case for much of the first half. The only real Rossonero to stand out was Davide Calabria who was stellar in defending his lines and negating threats. Franck Kessie was another standout who just owned the midfield, even if some of his offensive plays didn’t come to fruition as planned.

The half would end level, and it would be a fair first result. Both teams with chances, both sides defending well.

Second Half

Well, things really began to pop off for the Rossoneri in the second half. It didn’t take very long for Patrick Cutrone to repay Gattuso’s faith in his start. I’m not sure what the skipper said to his players in the locker room, but they came out sharper, and more clinical.

Franck Kessie and Lucas Biglia snuffed out every advancing Roma move, allowing Suso to work his magic on the wing. With a clear opening down the right side, he delivered a beautiful crossing pass to Cutron, who found the skill to back-heel the pass towards the back of the net. There was nothing Roman defenders could do but watch in amazement.

The goals seemed to stir something inside Roma, as they fitfully pressed forward, looking for an equalizer. It would be those reckless advances that eventually would catch them off guard, by an unsuspecting full back who would score a golazo. Davide Calabria skipped passed his defender, received his pass in stride, and just flicked it casually over the Roma keeper, Alisson.

Man of the Match

My MOTM has to be Davide Calabria. Take away his goal, and he’s still up there. His defense and shutting down the advances from Roma, as they attempted to sneak in passes through our high press just goes to show the level of intensity he brought today.

Who was yours?