Lazio 2-0 AC Milan: Hernanes and Rocchi strike in second half to damage Rossoneri's title challenge

AC Milan squandered the chance to take advantage of Juventus’ match being postponed as it slipped to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Lazio.

A tense match was blown open by Hernanes’ second half strike, before Tommaso Rocchi made the points safe minutes from time.

The early sections of the match promised much. Federico Marchetti was forced into a great game minutes into the match after Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s cross set up Antonio Nocerino for a header.

Lazio went close to taking the lead itself not long after, as Matuzalem sent in a low, powerful shot that went inches past Christian Abbiati’s post.

The frantic opening soon died down. Giuseppe Biava had claims for a penalty after he felt Thiago Silva prevented him from latching on to a corner, only for the referee to wave play on.

As the half wore on, the visitors began to create chances of their own. Ibrahimovic sent Stephan El Shaarawy clear. The Italian managed to evade the onrushing Marchetti, but was forced wide and missed his opportunity.

Minutes later Ibrahimovic himself was through, but, perhaps with the previous incident in mind, chose not to square the ball to the better-placed El Shaarawy. His hesitance cost him, and the Swede wasn’t even able to win a corner for his side.

The start of the second half brought immediate controversy. Ibrahimovic flicked the ball on to El Shaarawy, only for Andre Dias stuck out a hand and palmed the ball away. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, only for his assistant to overrule the decision.

Deflated by the decision, it took Milan some time to get back in the match. Ambrosini carved out a couple of half chances, sending a shot narrowly wide, before his advancing years let him down, with Marchetti capitalizing on his lack of pace to claim the ball at the veterans’ feet.

Lazio started to respond, however. Hernanes charged into the Milan box, superbly leaving Alessandro Nesta in his wake, until Ignazio Abate came across as the Brazilian was preparing to pull the trigger.

At the other end, Robinho played the ball across the face of goal. It hit Biava, but Marchetti stuck out an arm to palm the ball away when it seemed like a certain goal, and Ibrahimovic couldn’t snuff the ball over the line.

Seconds later, the champions were behind. Rocchi played a neat ball in the box to Hernanes, who hooked the ball around Nesta and past Abbiati to put the hosts ahead.

A shell-shocked Milan almost found itself two goals behind minutes later as Hernanes squandered a better chance than his goal, sending the ball wide of the far post.

Lazio sealed the victory five minutes from time, with Rocchi smashing home Senad Lulic’s pull-back, going on to celebrate with his fans.

Ibrahimovic wasted a late chance to pull a goal back, but it was all too late. It was Lazio’s first victory over Milan since February 1998, and a result that puts a serious dent in the San Siro side’s chances of retaining their title.

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