Roma 1-2 Milan: Olivier Giroud penalty and Rafael Leao overhead stunner make it three wins from three for Rossoneri
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Updated 02/09/2023 at 00:15 GMT+1
AC Milan remain perfect in Serie A after three games following a 2-0 victory over Roma the Stadio Olimpico. Olivier Giroud opened the scoring for the visitors with a first half penalty before Rafael Leao lit up the match with a beautiful overhead kick to double their advantage. Fikayo Tomori saw red for his second booking and Leonardo Spinazzola scored for Roma but Milan held on.
Highlights: Leao bicycle kick helps Milan to fine win over Roma
Video credit: TNT Sports
Rafael Leao scored a remarkable overhead kick as 10-man AC Milan maintained their perfect start to the season at Roma.
Milan went ahead after just nine minutes when Ruben Loftus-Cheek, after seeing his shot blocked, was brought down by Rui Patricio and - after a VAR review - a penalty was given.
Olivier Giroud sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot for his third penalty in two games and fourth goal in all this season.
The game already looked comfortable for the visitors but it was settled three minutes into the second half when David Calabria swung a cross in from the right flank which was drifting behind Rafael Leao and his marker Zeki Celik, only for the Portuguese winger to stretch a leg out and steer the ball over his head and into the far corner.
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'Special player, super strike' – Leao doubles Milan's lead with spectacular bicycle kick
Video credit: TNT Sports
Roma never looked like getting back into the game, even after the hour mark when Fikayo Tomori clumsily clipped into Andrea Belotti on the edge of his area and picked up a second yellow card.
However, Leonardo Spinazzola scored a stoppage time consolation to set up a nervy finish but Milan were able to see out the win.
Milan have a perfect record after three games, while Roma, for whom Romelu Lukaku played the last 20 minutes, have just a point.
Talking point - Serie A seems to suit Loftus-Cheek
He never quite seemed to fit in a Premier League midfield. Not defensively adept enough to sit in front of the back four and not dynamic enough to regularly demand a spot playing higher up the field.
The pace of Serie A football seems to suit him with his undoubted skill-set of fine control and accurate passing. He can pick out passes comfortably between the lines and glide with the ball himself into dangerous areas. He could have been more decisive when finding himself in space in the opposing penalty area but hopefully that will come with confidence.
He was unfortunate to be taken off, but he can blame his countryman for foolishly getting himself sent off.
Player of the match - Rafael Leao (AC Milan)
Serie A's most exciting player showcased his talents tonight. Even had he not scored an extraordinary sealer, the way he effortlessly drifted past Jose Mourinho-hardened defenders to create chances for his team-mates should have brought more reward. The goal itself is one to add to his highlight reel and hopefully give him the confidence to shoot more and improve on his 15-goal campaign last season.
Player ratings
Roma: Patricio 5; Mancini 6, Smalling6, Llorente 6; Celik 6, Cristante 6, Paredes 6, Aouar 6, Zalewski 7; El Shaarawy 6, Belotti 6.
Subs: Pellegrini 6, Spinazzola 7, Lukaku 6, Bove 6, Pagano 6.
Milan: Maignan 6; Calabria 7, Thiaw 6, Tomori 5, Hernandez 6; Loftus-Cheek 7, Krunic 6; Reijnders 6, Pulisic 6, Leao 8*; Giroud 7.
Subs: Kalulu 6, Pobega 6, Chukwueze 6, Okafor 6.
Match highlights
7' - REFEREE CHECKING VAR...PENALTY GIVEN! Loftus-Cheek wanted a penalty and the replays show why. The keepers studs caught him on the shin.
9' - GOAL FOR MILAN! Giroud send the goalkeeper the wrong way. Adds to his two penalties last week and four overall for him this season.
22' - FINE SAVE FROM RUI PATRICIO! Theo Hernandez put in a lovely cross from the left flank Pulisic met the ball at the back post on the volley and t was heading towards the roof of the net but the Portuguese stopper tipped over.
48' - GOAL FOR MILAN! And a remarkable goal from Leao! The cross from Calabria was a good one and Celik was touch tight on the left winger at the back post and the ball was going behind both of them before the Portuguese star stretched to steer the ball over his head and into the far corner.
61' - RED CARD FOR TOMORI! It was clumsy from the English centre back and he could get in more trouble for staying on the pitch and arguing. Belotti seemed like he was waiting for him to swing a leg at him on the edge of the box and Tomori fell for the trap.
90+3' - GOAL FOR ROMA! Spinazzola has been a threat since coming on, but it took a huge deflection off Kalulu for the ball to drift over the outstretched body of Maignan and find the net.
KEY STAT
- 8 - Milan are unbeaten in their last eight games against Roma.
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