AC Milans Turkish midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu takes the ball past AS Romas Italian midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini as AS Romas Italian midfielder Bryan Cristante looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on June 28, 2020 in Milan, Italy.
Roma are facing another season without Champions League football
after losing 2-0 at AC Milan on Saturday, with Atalanta’s 3-2 win at
Udinese leaving the capital club nine points off fourth place.
Ante Rebic and Hakan Calhanoglu scored late to give Milan victory at a
stifling San Siro to put Stefano Pioli’s side three points away from
the last Europa League place held by Napoli, who beat bottom side SPAL
3-1 in Naples.
Gennaro Gattuso’s side, who have already won the Italian Cup this
season, came out on top at the Stadio San Paolo thanks to goals from
Dries Mertens, Jose Callejon and Amin Younes.
Roma stay fifth but are only three points ahead of Napoli and way
behind Atalanta in fourth, who are now clear favourites to qualify for
Europe’s top club competition.
Both teams started slowly but Milan dominated after the break with
Rebic breaking through on 76 minutes, rifling the ball into the roof of
the net at the third attempt after a frantic scramble following a Davide
Zappacosta blunder.
Calhanoglu converted a penalty with a minute to go after Chris
Smalling fouled Theo Hernandez in the area to earn a second win this
week, despite the absence of star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a calf
problem.
“We were looking for a win against a strong opponent and we deserved
to get it,” said Pioli after their first win over one of the top-six
sides this season.
“This victory gives us confidence to try to hit the goal of bringing Milan back to Europe.
“(Ibra) helped us raise our level. Let’s not forget that we only lost one game with him.
“But the team is doing well without him and his return gives us other solutions.
“The changes we make will be very important because it’s very hot. It’s unthinkable to play with the same XI.”
Roma coach Paulo Fonseca conceded his side were struggling for fitness after the three-month coronavirus shutdown.
“They (Milan) were fresher in the second half,” said Fonseca. “Let’s
not forget that they had seven days to prepare and it’s their third
game, it’s not an excuse, it’s the truth.
“I’m worried about physical fitness, we will play in two days.
“Maintaining continuity is difficult when you change many players, but we’re ready and prepared to fight to the end.”
Muriel magic
Atalanta stretched their lead
on Roma thanks to two stunning goals from Luis Muriel, who came on as a
second-half substitute and put his team back ahead with a magnificent
71st-minute free-kick.
Kevin Lasagna had previously levelled for Udinese in the 31st minute after Duvan Zapata had given the away side an early lead.
Muriel then put Atalanta two goals ahead with a superb volley that
ensured Lasagna’s second three minutes from time made no difference to
the result.
Sampdoria sank further into the relegation mire after a 2-1 home
defeat to Bologna which leaves them just a point above the drop zone,
while Rogerio struck in the sixth minute of stoppage time to earn a 3-3
draw for Sassuolo against Hellas Verona.
Juventus beat Lecce 4-0 on Friday, and are four points ahead of
Lazio, who came from behind to see off Fiorentina 2-1 on Saturday.
