Rafael Leao’s decisive goal lifted AC Milan to the top of Serie A with a narrow 1-0 win over Lazio at San Siro. The match was marked by drama, as a late penalty appeal for Lazio was overturned following a VAR review.
This victory was crucial for Milan, who have been in impressive form this season.
Lazio almost took the lead early on, but Mike Maignan made an outstanding save to deny Mario Gila’s header. Later in the first half, Maignan again thwarted Mattia Zaccagni at his near post. However, it was Milan who broke the deadlock six minutes into the second half.
A swift one-touch play allowed Fikayo Tomori to advance down the right flank, setting up Leao to score from close range. Although Leao’s header was later saved by Ivan Provedel, his earlier goal remained decisive. Despite Lazio’s late push for an equaliser, Milan held firm.
The match saw controversy when referee Giuseppe Collu reviewed a potential handball by Strahinja Pavlovic in the 100th minute. After consulting the pitchside monitor, Collu awarded Milan a free-kick instead of a penalty, citing Adam Marusic’s foul on a Rossoneri defender.
Milan’s defence has been formidable this season, achieving seven clean sheets in their first 13 Serie A matches-a feat last accomplished in the 2006-07 campaign. Their ability to maintain defensive solidity has been pivotal in their rise to the top of the league standings.
Leao’s contribution has been significant; he reached his 101st direct goal involvement for Milan in Serie A with 60 goals and 41 assists since debuting in 2019-20. He joins an elite group of players like Domenico Berardi, Ciro Immobile, and Lautaro Martinez who have surpassed 100 goal involvements with a single team.
Milan’s Dominance Against Top Teams
This season, AC Milan have excelled against top-10 teams in Serie A. They have accumulated 19 points from seven matches against these sides. Their ability to perform well against strong opponents has been key to their current position at the summit of the league table.
The Rossoneri managed 16 shots compared to Lazio’s nine during this encounter. This attacking intent combined with solid defence underscores their balanced approach this season. As they continue their campaign, maintaining such performances will be crucial for sustaining their title challenge.