Lazio secured their spot in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals Wednesday evening, defeating defending Serie A champions AC Milan 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico. A second-half header from Lazio’s Mattia Zaccagni proved decisive in a tightly contested match, eliminating Milan from the tournament despite a persistent attacking effort from the visitors [[1]]. The result sends Lazio thru to face Bologna in the next round, while ending Milan’s hopes of retaining their title in the competition.
Lazio advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Milan on Wednesday. A late header from captain Ciro Immobile proved to be the difference, sending the Biancocelesti through while ending Milan’s run in the competition.
Milan came out aggressively to start the second half, testing Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Mandas with a 51st-minute header from Loftus-Cheek, set up by a precise cross from Estupiñán. The Rossoneri continued to press, attempting an intricate set-piece routine in the 60th minute that resulted in a shot from Saelemaekers, but Mandas was equal to the challenge.
The Milan attack remained persistent, with Loftus-Cheek again threatening in the 69th minute. Rafael Leão then squandered a golden opportunity to put Milan ahead in the 71st minute, failing to capitalize on a well-worked combination between Jashari and Estupiñán.
Lazio responded with efforts from Noslin and Zaccagni, and their pressure paid off in the 80th minute when Zaccagni rose highest to meet a corner from Tavares, heading the ball past Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan. The Milan defense was caught flat-footed on the play, allowing Zaccagni a clear path to the goal.
Maignan was called into action again in the 85th minute, denying Noslin a second for Lazio. At the other end, Mandas then produced a crucial save to deny Pulisic an equalizer in the 91st minute, securing the win for Lazio.
Lazio will now face Bologna in the quarterfinals. For Milan, last year’s finalists, the tournament ends here.
IL TABELLINO
LAZIO-MILAN 1-0
Lazio (4-3-3): Mandas; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini (26’ st Nuno Tavares); Guendouzi, Vecino (13’ st Dele-Bashiru), Basic; Isaksen (38’ st Pedro), Castellanos (13’ st Noslin), Zaccagni (38’ st Cancellieri). A disp.: Provedel, Furlanetto, Lazzari, Patric, Provstgaard, Belahyane, Dia. All. Sarri
Milan (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, De Winter, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers (19’ st Nkunku), Ricci, Jashari, Rabiot, Estupiñán (42’ st Bartesaghi); Loftus-Cheek (36’ st Modric), Leao (36’ st Pulisic). A disp.: Terracciano, Torriani, Gabbia, Odogu, Sala. All. Allegri
Arbitro: Guida
Marcatori: 35’ st Zaccagni (L)
Ammoniti: Pavlovic (M), De Winter (M)
