AC Milan were forced to accept a share of the spoils to end the calendar year, playing out a 1-1 draw with Roma at San Siro.
It looked like things were going the right way for Milan when Tijjani Reijnders fired in a pass from Youssouf Fofana’s feed, though Roma got themselves back on terms not long after through Paulo Dybala’s volley.
Both sides squandered chances to take control of the game and the end result was a point that probably means very little for two teams who find themselves far away from the places they want to be.
The build-up to the game was nothing short of bizarre as reports emerged moments before kick-off suggesting that Paulo Fonseca might be taking charge of his last Milan game. If it was to be his last line-up named, he made two changes to the line-up with Theo Hernandez and Alvaro Morata starting.
The first half-chance of the game went to the away side as Paulo Dybala found space to fire from the left edge of the box, finding Mike Maignan’s grateful arms. At the other end Alex Jimenez led a fantastic break in which he dribbled past Manu Kone and was tripped, earning the midfielder an early yellow card.
Tijjani Reijnders wasn’t too far off giving Milan the lead from the resulting free-kick. Around 25 yards out Theo laid it off to the Dutchman, who hit a rising shot through the wall that Mile Svilar just about managed to parry clear with Morata lurking.
Roma were then inches away from going a goal up and it was a lovely flowing move on the edge of the area, seeing Artem Dovbyk combine with the Milan loanee Alexis Saelemaekers and hit the base of the post with a shot on the turn that had Maignan beaten.
With just over 15 minutes on the clock, Milan got themselves into the lead with a lethal counter-attack. Youssouf Fofana started it by breaking out of the press from his own half, finding Morata who had drifted to the left. The Frenchman collected the pass back to him and squared to Reijnders, who fired in calmly for his ninth goal of the season.
Just a couple of minutes after taking the lead, the Rossoneri really should have doubled their lead with what was another counter where they had numbers in their favour. Reijnders led it this time down the middle and fed Jimenez, whose low ball to the near post was flicked wide by Morata from close range.
In the 23rd minute, Roma drew themselves level and it was perhaps against the run of play. A pass into Dovbyk from outside the box was backheel flicked first time by the striker into the path of Dybala, who finished with a beautiful right-footed volley where Maignan was again left rooted to his spot.
Any order in the game was completely lost by the referee Michele Fabbri, who had given out some early bookings to set the tone and then proceeded to show zero command over things.
The Milan players were convinced Reijnders had been slid through by Pisilli inside the box, yet he gave no penalty, sending off Paulo Fonseca for protesting, as well as booking Theo and Morata.
The intense end-to-end nature of the game continued and when Roma gave up possession near the edge of their own box it looked like Samuel Chukwueze could find a man with a deep cross for an easy finish, though it was heroically blocked onto the roof of the net.
A change was made at half-time as Ismael Bennacer came on for Filippo Terracciano. The Algerian had not played an official match since August 17, the first game of the season against Torino.
Milan’s first opportunity of the second half fell to Fofana after a corner was aimed at the near post and rattled around before falling to the midfielder who hooked over the bar with his back to goal from a few yards out.
Milan continued to push to get themselves back in front and they came close twice in quick succession, firstly through Bennacer who forced a save from Svilar and then from Chukwueze whose curling attempt was stopped as well.
There was a worrying moment for Chukwueze not long after the aforementioned attempt as he fell to the floor clutching his hamstring. He immediately requested a change, with Tammy Abraham taking his place.
The wide-open nature of the game persisted, with Theo perhaps having should have done better after going on a typical lung-busting run from left-back deep into the box but failing get a powerful shot off. At the other end Dovbyk had a one-on-one effort stopped by Maignan though he was offside.
Roma had a couple of moments inside the final 10 minutes, like when Fofana provided a brilliant block to halt a rocket of a shot from Dybala, then Maignan saved well from Stephan El Shaarawy’s shot that was heading for the top corner.
With five minutes left on the clock, another change to the attack was made with Francesco Camarda replacing Morata and partnering Abraham up top.
Lorenzo Pellegrini could have been the hero off the bench when he collected a lovely through ball from Dybala and was bearing down on goal, yet he couldn’t quite stab it goalwards under pressure from Jimenez.
Refs in Serie A are corrupt and we are definitely losing Rafa Leao.
In what way? Don’t talk sh|t please. Easy for you to say that stuff but let’s point that accusations at your own country. Does majority of your country even have toilets. If no, don’t talk nonsense.
Even the San siro does not have a decent toilet
It is very appalling watching a great milan playing this kind of odd football every week. Imagine Theo was playing like a player coming from long time injury lay out. Instead for us to be improving as team since we won scudetto in 2022, we are becoming worst as a team every season and our management are the one driving us back with Mr Fonseca as a coach who has not won any reasonable trophy as a coach. I am so pained watching my milan playing this kind of comedy football. We even got lucky with the draw
Forget the referee. Fonseca must go, that’s what really matters now.
Celebrating Fonseca sacking 🎉
Seems like he can really be sacked after this game. The management is currently being under fire and heavily targeted by the supporters. The easiest way is to find a scapegoat and do something to slow down the fire blaze.
Tactics completely wrong and once again individual brilliance saves us. Get an Italian coach the Portuguese and Spanish can’t do the job. They don’t like to work, their countries economies show it. Pep spent more than 2 billion and only has 1 champions league to show for it. Stop with the Iberians. They are lazy, also Fonseca is from Mozambique who knows nothing about football.
Eusebio one of the most applauded football players ever was born in Mozambique even though he represented Portugal so not really sure about your logic there.
We could have lost this game. One point better than nothing.
For some reason Fonseca an African tries to pretend that he is Portuguese. If he can’t even be honest with himself how can we trust him with the boys
I couldnt careless if he doesn’t even have any nationality as long as he brings victories to Milan.
Fondeca wont get sacked before the supercoppa. I think if we get out on the first game he’ll get sacked. Ibra and co management should also go
Well, I hope not. He really must go ASAP.
The players also at fault here when you keep trying seeking your own glory instead of the team, Dont know how many times Theo being selfish here instead of passing the ball to a better position team mates.
I think no leao, Milan game more liquid. Theo wasting couple a change. Jimenez already to replace him. Just my analysis, Milan game more good enough if theo and leao on the bench