Lazio's revenge to Milan - Allegri's men are out of the Cup

Five days ago, Milan hosted Lazio in Serie A and defeated them by the narrowest of margins in a largely dull match that was marked by controversy at the end over a (non-)awarded penalty for the visitors. But on Thursday, Lazio took revenge on Milan in a similar fashion in the Coppa Italia, advancing to the quarterfinals with a narrow 1–0 victory — once again with a controversial detail. The Biancocelesti are clearly pinning great hopes on the Cup, while the Rossoneri are now definitely left with only one front and will throw all their cards at the Scudetto for the rest of the season. Conte’s Napoli managed to do it last season; we’ll see if Allegri’s Milan can do the same…

That the Cup means something more to Lazio was evident from the team lineups as well. Apart from reserve goalkeeper Mandas, the hosts fielded their strongest available team. The injured Rovella, Cataldi, Gigot were missing, but Castellanos and Cancellieri had recovered. The former started, the latter came off the bench. Allegri chose to rest Modrić, Gabbia and Fofana from the starting lineup and not to risk the not fully recovered Pulisic, but key players like Maignan, Pavlović, Tomori, Rabiot, Saelemaekers and Leao still started. Estupinan, De Winter, Ricci and Loftus-Cheek were given a chance to prove themselves, and for the first time since his big June transfer from Bruges, the major signing Ardon Jashari also started. The impression is that the backups failed to seize their opportunity.

Lazio were more aggressive from the start. Milan tried to slow the tempo and anesthetize the Romans as they did five days earlier, but this time without success. Sarri’s team dictated the pace and were more dangerous, largely thanks to the lively Croatian midfielder Toma Bašić, who created several dangerous situations in front of the visitors’ goal and also had a good chance that went wide. The best opportunity was missed by Isaksen when Maignan once again stood out in Milan’s goal.

Rafa Leao kills Lazio and puts Milan back at Serie A summit

Milan entered the second half much better, creating chances through Loftus-Cheek, Saelemaekers and Leao, who missed from a great position. Sarri was the first to make substitutions, and it paid off. From a corner kick — which probably should not have been awarded — substitute Tavares delivered a cross that found Zaccagni, who scored a superb header. Milan’s defense fell asleep…Allegri tried to change things with substitutions in the final ten minutes, sending on Modrić, Pulisic and Bartesaghi, and he nearly got his reward. Pulisic had a good chance after a cross from Bartesaghi that was saved by Mandas. Before that, Noslin had missed a golden opportunity to put the game to bed. Lazio advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face the defending champions Bologna.

SERIE A ROUND 14

Saturday

17.00: (2.90) Sassuolo (3.30) Fiorentina (2.65)

20.00: (1.55) Inter (4.10) Como (6.25)

22.45: (5.30) Verona (3.60) Atalanta (1.70)

Sunday

14.30: (2.45) Cremonese (3.00) Lecce (3.30)

17.00: (5.60) Cagliari (3.60) Roma (1.75)

20.00: (2.65) Lazio (3.05) Bologna (3.05)

22.45: (2.40) Napoli (3.05) Juventus (3.55)

Monday

17.00: (2.45) Pisa (3.00) Parma (3.30)

20.00: (2.45) Udinese (3.00) Genoa (3.30)

22.45: (4.40) Torino (3.50) Milan (1.85)

* odds are subject to change