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2 vs 0
Played
February 1, 2012 7:45 PM GMT
Stadio Olimpico — Roma
Referee:‬ A. Damato‎
Attendance:‬ 32000‎
 
77′ Hernanes
 
 
Top of the Match
Hernanes
Hernanes
Lazio
Senad Lulic
Senad Lulic
Lazio
Flop of the Match
Robinho
Robinho
AC Milan
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
AC Milan

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

Massimiliano Allegri's men missed the chance to leapfrog Serie A leaders Juventus following two late goals from the Biancocelesti at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday

By Enis Koylu

AC Milan squandered the chance to overtake Juventus at the top of the Serie A standings as they succumbed 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 five minutes from time.

The visitors attacked from the opening whistle as Federico Marchetti was forced into a great save in the early going after Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s cross set up Antonio Nocerino for a header.

Lazio went close to taking the lead themselves not long after but Matuzalem's low shot went inches past Christian Abbiati’s post.

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 palm 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. Massimo Ambrosini carved out a couple of half chances, sending a shot narrowly wide, before his advancing years let him down, with Marchetti capitalising on his lack of pace to claim the ball at the veteran's 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 into the box to Hernanes, who hooked the ball around Nesta and past Abbiati to put the hosts ahead.

A shell-shocked Milan almost found themselves two goals behind minutes later as Hernanes squandered a golden chance, 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.

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



Lazio

22
Federico Marchetti
Goalkeeper
3.00
3
Andrè Dias
Defender
51′
3.00
20
Giuseppe Biava
Defender
3.00
26
Stefan Radu
Defender
3.00
29
Abdoulay Konko
Defender
3.00
8
Hernanes
Midfielder
77′ 88′
3.50
-
Matuzalem
Midfielder
11′
3.00
15
Alvaro Gonzalez
Midfielder
2.50
19
Senad Lulic
Midfielder
85′
3.00
24
Cristian Ledesma
Midfielder
3.00
9
3.50

AC Milan

3.00
32
3.00
14
3.00
-
Djamel Mesbah
Midfielder
3.00
20
3.00
4
2.50
-
3.00
8
3.00
23
3.00
18
2.50
7
Robinho
Striker
3.00
92

Substitutes

1
0.00
5
0.00
18
0.00
21
0.00
33
3.00
87
0.00
25
0.00

Substitutes

0.00
1
Marco Amelia
Goalkeeper
0.00
5
0.00
19
0.00
25
3.00
10
3.00
8
0.00
10

Coach/Manager

-
 - 

Coach/Manager

 
  • 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
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Edinson  Cavani Edinson Cavani
Striker
Napoli
29 7
Antonio Di Natale Antonio Di Natale
Striker
Udinese
23 4
Pablo Daniel Osvaldo Pablo Daniel Osvaldo
Striker
Roma
16 2
Stephan El Shaarawy Stephan El Shaarawy
Midfielder
Milan
16 0
Germán Denis Germán Denis
Striker
Atalanta
15 5