A resilient Milan ride Maignan’s brilliance and Leão’s killer instinct to edge a wasteful Lazio; Allegri sent off after a tense finale.
Milan temporarily climbed to the top of Serie A with a narrow but vital 1–0 win over Lazio at San Siro. It was a night defined by Mike Maignan’s derby-like heroics and Rafael Leão’s icy composure, as the Rossoneri overcame a poor first half before shifting gears after the break.
The opening 45 minutes offered little entertainment, with Lazio controlling possession but struggling to convert it into genuine danger. Gila produced the biggest scare of the half, only for Maignan to deny him with a stunning reflex stop — a continuation of the goalkeeper’s exceptional recent form. Zaccagni worked tirelessly and tested Maignan as well, but the Milan shot-stopper remained unshaken. The Rossoneri’s lone flash came from Tomori, but it wasn’t enough to spark the team into life.
Everything changed after halftime. Milan emerged transformed, quicker and more aggressive in their exchanges. A sharp combination between Saelemaekers, Fofana and Tomori ended with the defender surging down the right and squaring for Leão, who slotted home clinically at the far post in the 51st minute. The Portuguese star, buzzing with confidence, came close to doubling the lead soon after, but Provedel responded.
Fofana’s injury forced Allegri into adjustments, while Lazio introduced Castellanos, who was inches away from levelling the match in the closing stages. The game’s most dramatic moment arrived in stoppage time: a potential Lazio penalty was overturned after VAR spotted a foul on Pavlović earlier in the same action. Tension escalated, and both Allegri and Sarri’s assistant Ianni were sent off at the 97th minute.
Despite the late chaos, Milan held firm and secured three precious points that keep their Scudetto ambitions very much alive. Lazio, once again leaving San Siro empty-handed, must reflect on their blunt attacking display.
Match Report
Milan 1–0 Lazio
Scorer: 51’ Leão (MIL)
Milan (3-5-2):
Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlović; Saelemaekers, Fofana (65’ Loftus-Cheek), Modrić, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Nkunku (82’ Ricci), Leão.
Manager: Allegri
Lazio (4-3-3):
Provedel; Marušić, Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini (85’ Tavares); Guendouzi, Vecino (62’ Dele-Bashiru), Bašić (85’ Noslin); Isaksen (70’ Pedro), Dia (62’ Castellanos), Zaccagni.
Manager: Sarri
Referee: Collu
Bookings: Tomori, Pellegrini, Gabbia, Romagnoli, Ricci, Zaccagni
Red Cards: Allegri (97’), Ianni (97’)
