Roma scored early but were twice saved by the crossbar as they won 1-0 away at Milan in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals on April 11.
Roma started better than the team that had won the European Cup/ Champions League seven times. In the 14th minute, Romalu Lukaku passed to Stephan El Shaarawy, whose shot deflected off a Milan defender's leg and went over the crossbar. From Paulo Dybala's subsequent corner kick, center-back Gianluca Mancini headed in the only goal of the match.
Mancini (center) leaps high to head home a goal in the Milan - Roma first leg quarter-final of the Europa League at San Siro on April 11. Photo: Ansa
Lukaku not only contributed to the attack but also dropped back to support the defense. In the 21st minute, the Belgian striker headed the ball twice in quick succession on the goal line, saving Roma from two headers by Olivier Giroud.
Milan struggled to create chances. Left winger Rafael Leao played poorly before being booed and substituted in the 78th minute. Milan's best chance came in the 75th minute, when Yacine Adli's angled shot was parried by goalkeeper Mile Svilar, but the ball hit the underside of the crossbar, bounced down, and went out.
Milan controlled 53% of the ball possession and had 14 shots, almost double Roma's eight. In the 87th minute, the home team missed another opportunity. Following a dribbling and assist from Samuel Chukwueze, Giroud shot with his weaker right foot, but the ball hit the crossbar.
Milan have been unbeaten against Roma since October 2019, with six wins and three draws. The Rossoneri also haven't lost to Roma at home at San Siro since October 2017, including the 3-1 victory on January 14th, the match that led to the sacking of former Roma manager Jose Mourinho.
The 1-0 victory against Milan in the first leg of the quarter-finals was Daniele De Rossi's 10th win in 16 matches since replacing Mourinho, alongside four draws and two defeats. The second leg will be played on April 18th at Roma's Olimpico stadium. Milan previously won 2-1 there earlier in the season in Serie A.
Thanh Quy
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