AC Milan 2-0 Lazio (Sep 30, 2023) Game Analysis

United States standout Christian Pulisic scored the opening objective as AC Milan beat Lazio 2-0 at residence Saturday to remain degree on factors with Inter Milan on the prime of Serie A.

Milan went prime of the desk with 18 factors after seven matches, earlier than metropolis rivals Inter went again above them on objective distinction following their 4-0 win at Salernitana later within the day. Lazio are 14th with seven factors.

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Pulisic’s objective was his third for Milan since arriving from Chelsea in the summertime, however it was his first in additional than a month.

Milan’s stress had been constructing and the hosts lastly made the breakthrough on the hour mark. Tijjani Reijnders slipped the ball by to Rafael Leão and he crossed for Pulisic to fireplace in on the half-volley with the within of his left boot.

Pulisic was given one other standing ovation by the San Siro crowd when he was substituted late on.

Fellow American Yunus Musah nearly doubled Milan’s lead within the 73rd, however he was denied by an outstanding save by Ivan Provedel.

The Lazio goalkeeper had pulled off an equally spectacular cease on the finish of the primary half to forestall Olivier Giroud from marking his thirty seventh birthday with a objective. Reijnders back-heeled the rebound onto the submit.

Noah Okafor sealed the match two minutes from time with a easy tap-in after some nice work by Leão.

“After the break, we were more compact and certainly more energetic, hungrier and more determined,” Milan coach Stefano Pioli advised DAZN.

“That is a great sign when playing every three days and it was a fully deserved victory.”

Lazio thought they’d grabbed a comfort objective within the dying moments, as Pedro unleashed a gorgeous roller into the highest nook, just for it to be disallowed for an earlier offside.

Milan suffered a possible harm blow as midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek limped off within the first half.

“It would be a shame if we lost Ruben, he felt a twinge near the groin area,” Pioli stated, including that he hoped it was nothing severe.

“Unfortunately, injuries tend to come when players are in good shape.”

Milan go to Borussia Dortmund within the Champions League group stage Wednesday earlier than travelling to Genoa for a league match Oct. 7.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.