Milan are through to the Coppa Italia semi-finals – and it was hard work. In the quarter-final clash with Roma, the Rossoneri were clearly inferior at first, but then scored clinically. In the end, two new players made the difference.
In terms of play, Milan coach Sergio Conceicao, who last had a 1-0 lead in the Derby della Madonnina against Inter in Serie A after a long and lucky 1-0 lead, was unlikely to have been satisfied with the first 45 minutes. Because his team had little to report in this Coppa Italia quarter-final at home to Roma.
The Claudio Ranieri-managed capital city team (who recently drew 1-1 with league leaders Napoli) clearly dominated, putting them under a lot of pressure and creating chances – some of them very good. But either striker Shomurodov’s finishing was off-target (8′ min), or Dybala nodded the ball into the arms of AC keeper Maignan from a prime position (9′ min) or it was simply bad luck. For example, Maignan let the ball slip through his fingers when Shomurodov took a shot, but only fell on the goal roof behind him (23′ ). To make matters worse, a Pisilli header hit the bar (30′).
Roma wasteful, Milan clinical
On top of that, Dybala’s powerful low shot was saved by Maignan’s equally powerful save (31′) and Shomurodov’s easy shot was blocked (36′).
Ultimately, the Giallorossi had to live with a nil at half time. But not only that: because hosts Milan were far more efficient with their few chances, Roma were even trailing 2-0. This was also due to a player who is actually a Roma professional and was loaned to Milan over the summer. His name is Abraham. The striker had initially scored the 1-0 with a precise header into the corner after a fine cross from Theo (16th minute), before the Englishman – after AS defense chief Hummels had opened up the middle a little too much – was through after a through ball from Theo and made it 2-0 in front of Svilar (42nd minute).
Abraham celebrated both goals quite modestly, obviously because he is actually a Roman.
Joao Felix very fine
The second half began better for the guests from the “Eternal City”, even though Milan’s new signing Walker had only just missed the decisive 3-1 (49th minute, Svilar’s save). In the 54th minute, Joker Dovbyk made it 1:2 after a somewhat lucky pass from Angelino. But there was a lack of big ideas against a well-defending AC.
And so it was ultimately a duo that had just been brought in that booked the 3-1 decision on this Coppa evening in San Siro. By name: Gimenez and Joao Felix. The expensive new signing from Feyenoord Rotterdam – also Milan’s opponent in the upcoming Champions League play-offs – made a wonderful through-ball for the Chelsea loanee. And the tricky Portuguese coolly lifted the ball into the net when through on goal in front of the rushing AS keeper Svilar (71). The final score remained unchanged because an unfortunate Reijnders own goal to make it 2:3 was no longer recognized (75, offside in the making).
The next fixtures for the two Serie A clubs, who have both got off to a slow start to the season, are as follows: Milan will next face Empoli away from home on Saturday (6pm CET). Roma, who played well on the night but didn’t take enough chances, face Venice the next day (12:30pm CET).
