|
|
Played
October 29, 2011 12:00 PM EDT
Stadio Olimpico — Roma
Referee: A. Damato
Attendance: 44000
October 29, 2011 12:00 PM EDT
Stadio Olimpico — Roma
Referee: A. Damato
Attendance: 44000
88′
Bojan Krkic
Top of the Match
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Milan
Milan
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Milan
Milan
Flop of the Match
Marco Cassetti
AS Roma
AS Roma
Fernando Gago
AS Roma
AS Roma
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Roma 2-3 AC Milan: Ibrahimovic double and Nesta header clinch fourth straight Serie A win for champions
Massimiliano Allegri's men were given a run for their money against the Giallorossi, but secured the victory in a thrilling game
By Vasil Kotsev
Getty Images
AC Milan managed to edge Roma 3-2 in an intense affair at the Stadio Olimpico to climb to the top of Serie A.
An exciting first half saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Nicolas Burdisso trade goals, before veteran Alessandro Nesta put the Rossoneri ahead with a thumping header.
Roma pushed hard for an equalizer after the break, but was punished by Ibrahimovic, who completed his brace. Bojan Krkic found a late goal for the Giallorossi, but it proved to be a mere consolation.
The hosts dominated proceedings early on as they were keeping possession, pinning back the visitors in their own half. This, however, wleft them vulnerable to swift counterattacks and Massimiliano Allegri's players soon took advantage.
In the 17th minute, a sublime cross by Alberto Aquilani found Ibrahimovic, who headed past Maarten Stekelenburg in trademark fashion to give Milan the lead.
Roma, spurred on by conceding a relatively simple goal, decided to send even more bodies into the final third, and the gamble soon produced results.
Some appalling defending by Gianluca Zambrotta allowed Burdisso to head in the equalizer, following a corner on the left as the Rossoneri finally buckled under the pressure.
On the half-hour mark, however, the veteran Nesta put the visitors back in the driving seat with a carbon copy of the Argentinian's strike as he headed past Stekelenburg after a pass by Robinho.
Things went from bad to worse for Luis Enrique's men in the 39th minute, when Fabio Borini picked up and injury and had to be replaced by ex-Barcelona striker and Spain international Bojan.
Roma started brightly in the second period, but was struggling to break AC Milan's resolute defense. The Rossoneri had Nesta to thank in the 55th minute, when the ex-Lazio man made a crucial intervention to prevent a shot from Bojan going past the beaten Christian Abbiati. Moments later, the goalkeeper redeemed himself as he pulled off an immense save to stop a Miralem Pjanic free kick from going in the left corner.
Then, in a curious accident, substituted midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng was sent off after he allegedly verbally abused the fourth official on his way from the pitch.
Roma was continuing to press and nearly equalized moments later, when Abbiati pulled off an immense reflex save from six yards out to deny Pablo Osvaldo. The Giallorossi, however, were looking increasingly fragile at the back, and soon paid the price for their reckless attacking.
Aquilani was once again the provider, when his cross from the left was met with a header by Ibrahimovic, who completed his brace to put the game beyond the Giallorossi's reach.
Roma ultimately managed to score again through Bojan, but it was too little, too late as the game finished 3-2. Milan returns to the top of the table for the time being, replacing Juventus, which faces Inter in Saturday's late Serie A action.
An exciting first half saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Nicolas Burdisso trade goals, before veteran Alessandro Nesta put the Rossoneri ahead with a thumping header.
Roma pushed hard for an equalizer after the break, but was punished by Ibrahimovic, who completed his brace. Bojan Krkic found a late goal for the Giallorossi, but it proved to be a mere consolation.
The hosts dominated proceedings early on as they were keeping possession, pinning back the visitors in their own half. This, however, wleft them vulnerable to swift counterattacks and Massimiliano Allegri's players soon took advantage.
In the 17th minute, a sublime cross by Alberto Aquilani found Ibrahimovic, who headed past Maarten Stekelenburg in trademark fashion to give Milan the lead.
Roma, spurred on by conceding a relatively simple goal, decided to send even more bodies into the final third, and the gamble soon produced results.
Some appalling defending by Gianluca Zambrotta allowed Burdisso to head in the equalizer, following a corner on the left as the Rossoneri finally buckled under the pressure.
On the half-hour mark, however, the veteran Nesta put the visitors back in the driving seat with a carbon copy of the Argentinian's strike as he headed past Stekelenburg after a pass by Robinho.
Things went from bad to worse for Luis Enrique's men in the 39th minute, when Fabio Borini picked up and injury and had to be replaced by ex-Barcelona striker and Spain international Bojan.
Roma started brightly in the second period, but was struggling to break AC Milan's resolute defense. The Rossoneri had Nesta to thank in the 55th minute, when the ex-Lazio man made a crucial intervention to prevent a shot from Bojan going past the beaten Christian Abbiati. Moments later, the goalkeeper redeemed himself as he pulled off an immense save to stop a Miralem Pjanic free kick from going in the left corner.
Then, in a curious accident, substituted midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng was sent off after he allegedly verbally abused the fourth official on his way from the pitch.
Roma was continuing to press and nearly equalized moments later, when Abbiati pulled off an immense reflex save from six yards out to deny Pablo Osvaldo. The Giallorossi, however, were looking increasingly fragile at the back, and soon paid the price for their reckless attacking.
Aquilani was once again the provider, when his cross from the left was met with a header by Ibrahimovic, who completed his brace to put the game beyond the Giallorossi's reach.
Roma ultimately managed to score again through Bojan, but it was too little, too late as the game finished 3-2. Milan returns to the top of the table for the time being, replacing Juventus, which faces Inter in Saturday's late Serie A action.
Follow Goal.com on 
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's 
page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Striker Milan |
28 | 10 |
|
Diego Alberto Milito
Striker Inter |
24 | 8 |
|
Antonio Di Natale
Striker Udinese |
23 | 4 |
|
Edinson Cavani
Striker Napoli |
23 | 3 |
|
R. Palacio
Striker Genoa |
19 | 3 |