Roma brings sorrow to Milan

Italy Roma scored early but were twice saved by the crossbar as they won 1-0 at Milan in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on the evening of April 11.

Roma started the match better than the team that won the C1 Cup/Champions League seven times. In the 14th minute, Romalu Lukaku passed to Stephan El Shaarawy, whose shot hit the Milan defender's foot and flew over the bar. From Paulo Dybala's corner kick, center back Gianluca Mancini headed in the only goal.

Mancini (center) jumps high to head the ball into the net during the Milan - Roma match in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals at San Siro on the evening of April 11. Photo: Ansa — Mancini (center) jumps high to head the ball into the net during the Milan - Roma match in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals at San Siro on the evening of April 11. Photo: *Ansa*

Not only contributing to the attack, Lukaku also dropped back to support the defense. In the 21st minute, the Belgian striker headed twice in a row on the goal line, saving Roma from two headers from Olivier Giroud.

Milan struggled to create chances. Left winger Rafael Leao was poor before being booed and substituted in the 78th minute. Milan's best chance came in the 75th minute, when Yacine Adli's cross-angle shot hit goalkeeper Mile Svilar, but the ball hit the underside of the crossbar, bounced down and bounced out.

Milan had 53% possession and 14 shots, almost double Roma's eight. In the 87th minute, the home team continued to miss opportunities. After Samuel Chukwueze attempted to dribble the ball, Giroud shot with his weaker right foot, hitting the crossbar.

Milan are unbeaten against Roma since October 2019, with six wins and three draws. They have also not lost to Roma at the San Siro since October 2017, including a 3-1 win on January 14 that saw former Roma manager Jose Mourinho sacked.

The 1-0 win over Milan in the first leg of the quarter-finals was Daniele De Rossi's 10th win in 16 games since replacing Mourinho, alongside four draws and two defeats. The return leg will be played on April 18 at Roma's Stadio Olimpico, where Milan won 2-1 earlier in the season in Serie A.

Thanh Quy

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