(Football news) AC Milan breezed past AS Roma 3-1 as they closed the gap to 1 point to Inter who had their match suspended because of Covid protocols. Rising COVID cases meant that Milan missed several key players ahead of their first game since the winter break, but Milan started well as they raced into a 2-0 lead inside 17 minutes thanks to Olivier Giroud's penalty and a fine Junior Messias finish after Giroud hit the post. Jose Mourinho’s side saw his side respond well, with striker Tammy Abraham giving the visitors a life line into the match in the 40th minute of the match. Milan's task became more manageable after Roma's Rick Karsdorp was sent off for a second booking in the 74th. As the 10 men pressed for an equaliser but substitutes Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Rafael Leao combined to put the final nail in the coffin eight minutes from time, with Rafeal Leao scoring the third goal for his side. Roma went down to nine players when Gianluca Mancini was sent off in stoppage time as he conceded another penalty which Ibrahimovic failed to convert from the spot
"We all worked hard for this win, me, the club and the coaches together with the players, It's a pleasure to coach these guys. They want to grow, learn even through the mistakes we made. We are down in numbers and in three days we play another important match." Milan coach Stefano Pioli said
Napoli further lost pace to the top of the table after an entertaining 1-1 draw against Juventus. In the first half American midfielder Weston McKennie missed a simple chance with his head in the opening stages before Napoli went in front through the club's all-time top goalscorer Dries Mertens in the 23rd minute. Juve came out in the second half all guns blazing and got back on level terms through Chiesa in the 54th minute. Juve pressed for a winner as they applied pressure but could not clear cut create chances as they had to settle for a point that leaves them on 35 from 20 games, five points behind Napoli in third who are now 11 points off leaders Inter Milan, who have a game in hand.
Allegri after the match said, "We have to see this in positive terms as a point gained, I'd like to see more calm and focus in the final third, but some of it is also to do with the characteristics of the players”.
"We have some areas where we need to improve, but overall it was a good performance. We ought to score a few more goals, but we got Chiesa on target, did better with set play situations and had that chance with Weston McKennie, so we're getting there."
Also read: Lorenzo Insigne leaves Napoli to join Toronto FC as Tuanzebe joins on loan
The other results were:
- Lazio 3 (Immobile, Milinkovic Savic x2) – 3 Empoli (Bajrami, Zurkowski, Di Francesco)
- Sassuolo 1 (Berardi) – 1 Genoa (Destro)
- Spezia 1 (Erlic) – 2 Verona (Caprari x2)
- Sampdoria 1 (Gabbiadini) – 2 Cagliari (Deiola, Pavoletti)
- Inter vs Bologna (Suspended)
- Atalanta vs Torino (Suspended)
- Fiorentina vs Udinese (Suspended)
