AC Milan recorded an easy win over Lazio on Saturday evening. Coach Stefano Pioli’s team was ultimately too strong for the Romans 2-0 thanks to goals from Christian Pulisic and substitute Noah Okafor. Tijjani Reijnders failed to give the Milanese the lead just before half time by shooting against the post in front of an open goal. The Rossoneri are leading in Italy, although Internazionale can equalize on points later in the evening.
Pioli made five changes to his starting eleven at Milan compared to the won league match against Cagliari three days ago. Mike Maignan appeared fit enough to start and replaced Marco Sportiello. Davide Calabria and Simon Kjaer were the new names in defense, while Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leão were preferred to Samuel Chukwueze and Okafor in the forward line. Finally, Reijnders started in midfield.
OHHH! ???????????? ????????? for Reijnders ?? Tijjani Reijnders can score his first goal for Milan, but can’t get it in ??#ZiggoSport #SerieA #MilanLazio pic.twitter.com/aKg5OOW950
— Ziggo Sport Voetbal (@ZS_Voetbal) September 30, 2023
Milan’s trainer had to suffer a setback after half an hour because Ruben Loftus-Cheek had to leave the fight injured. The midfielder was replaced by Yunus Musah. Both teams hardly managed to create any serious danger in the first act. Still got it i Rossoneri> on the stroke of half time the perfect opportunity to take the lead. Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel initially had an answer to Giroud’s shot, after which Reijnders rounded the closing post and tapped the ball. However, the Dutch international tried too hard with a backheel and saw his effort go wide off the outside of the post.
With just under an hour on the clock, the home team still managed to break the spell. Reijnders gave in to Leão, who saw Pulisic standing around the penalty spot, free of charge. It was a piece of cake for the American international to score the 1-0 against the ropes. Provedel managed to prevent Lazio from falling behind twice with excellent saves on shots from Musah and Pulisic. Just before the end of regular playing time, Milan ended the game early. Leão reached the end line with a strong individual action and then handed the ball on a silver platter to substitute Okafor: 2-0.
Pulisic ???????????? the ban ?? Reijnders with the front assist and Milan takes the lead! ??#ZiggoSport #SerieA #MilanLazio pic.twitter.com/9KVdEtJowg
— Ziggo Sport Voetbal (@ZS_Voetbal) September 30, 2023
| No. | Team | M | W | G | V | +/- | Pnt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Internazionale | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 15 |
| 2 | AC Milan | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 15 |
| 3 | Napoli | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 14 |
| 4 | Juventus | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 13 |
| 5 | Atalanta | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 12 |
| 6 | Fiorentina | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
| 7 | Lecce | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | -1 | 11 |
| 8 | Frosinone | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| 9 | Sassuolo | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | -1 | 9 |
| 10 | Torino | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | -1 | 8 |
| 11 | Genoa | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -1 | 7 |
| 12 | Lazio | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -1 | 7 |
| 13 | Bologna | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | -1 | 7 |
| 14 | Hellas Verona | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 7 |
| 15 | Monza | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -3 | 6 |
| 16 | AS Roma | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 17 | Salernitana | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | -6 | 3 |
| 18 | Udinese | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | -8 | 3 |
| 19 | Empoli | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -12 | 3 |
| 20 | Cagliari | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -7 | 2 |