Maignan the hero as unlucky Roma share spoils with Milan

Football can often be unfair and unjust, and last night, that was the case.

Analyzing the stats, shots, possession, quality of chances, or any other aspect of the game, Roma had the advantage.

Except on the scoreboard, which said 1-1.

Milan made their first so-so chance in the 50th minute. The second one brought them the opener 12 minutes later over Koni De Winter.

In the meantime, but especially before the break, the Wolfess wasted chances. A number of them.

Donyell Malen himself had half a dozen, hit the mark thrice, but could not get the ball past the outstanding Mark Maignan. Is anyone still wondering why the Rossoneri wanted to keep their captain so much? - while Manu Kone and Zeki Celik were equally unlucky in duels with the Frenchman.

In the end, justice was only partially served, as Roma managed to avoid a defeat thanks to Lorenzo Pellegrini's 74th-minute goal from the spot.

But the Giallorossi deserved much more, and Milan can consider themselves utterly fortunate for snatching a point at Stadio Olimpico.

A thought that probably crossed every Roma fan's mind after a goalless first half in the Wolves' duel against AC Milan was How on Earth are we not in the lead?

To be more precise, this particular question should have been posed to only one member of Gian Piero Gasperini's crew - Donyell Malen.

Old Lady still has a say - win over Napoli and a favor for Inter

Roma absolutely dismantled the Rossoneri in the first half, taking 11 shots (compared to the visitors' one), five of which went on target, and three of which were made by the newcomer from Aston Villa, who attempted six times in total. To make matters worse, he took each shot from close range, promising positions.

The remaining efforts were Manu Kone and Zeki Celik's doings - both from inside the box -, but Mike Maignan said no.

The Frenchman was stellar in Milan's goal, collecting five stops during the opening 45 minutes and preventing 1.49 goals, according to the new age xG stat. And most importantly, he kept "0" by Roma's name at the break.

The Rossoneri threatened for the first time in the 50th minute, when Roma's keeper Mile Svilar stopped Adrien Rabiot's dangerous strike.

Still, it turned out to be just a "minor deviation" from the game's usual rhythm and the Giallorossi's dominance.

Truth be told, the home team was not as dangerous as before the break, which gave Milan a chance to release the pressure and catch their breath, while Kone's injury, which forced him off the pitch seriously spoiled Gasperini's plans.

Nevertheless, the 67-year-old's strategy was ruined altogether after the 62nd minute, as the visitors broke the deadlock and took the lead from their second chance in the match!

Luka Modric's nice free-kick cross and Koni De Winter's strong header were enough to put the Rossoneri in front and give headaches to the packed Stadio Olimpico.

Roma boss tried to change his team's fortunes by subbing on the newcomer from Marseille, Robinio Vaz, and Lorenzo Pellegrini, while Massimiliano Allegri responded with heavy artillery, Christian Pulisic and Niclas Fullkrug.

Still, the Roman side was under pressure to chase a leveller. And the ideal opportunity came in the 74th minute - a penalty kick!

In the two teams' first Serie A duel of the season, Maignan stopped Paulo Dybala's spot kick.

Last night, he could not outsmart Pellegrini, who sent the pen home, returning the clash to square one.

Until the end of the match, the situation was the same. Roma played, held the ball, tried to win, and ultimately remained empty-handed.

The Serie A table-toppers, Inter Milan, will be the most satisfied with this draw in Rome, as their advantage ahead of Milan is now five points, while the Giallorossi are nine steps behind.

A considerable edge in the race for the Scudetto.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 22

Friday

Inter - Pisa 6-2 (3-2)

/Zielnski 39 pen, Martinez 41, Esposito 45+2, Dimarco 82, Bonny 86, Mkhitaryan 90+3 - Moreo 11, 23/

Saturday

Como - Torino 6-0 (2-0)

/Douvikas 8, 66, Baturina 16, Da Cunha 59 pen, Kuhn 70, Caqueret 76/

Fiorentina - Cagliari 1-2 (0-1)

/Brescianini 74 - Kilicsoy 31, Palestra 47/

Lecce - Lazio 0-0

Sunday

Sassuolo - Cremonese 1-0 (1-0)

/Fadera 3/

Atalanta - Parma 4-0 (2-0)

/Scamacca 15 pen, De Roon 24, Raspadori 73, Krstovic 90+3/

Genoa - Bologna 3-2 (0-1)

/Malinovskyi 62, Ekuban 78, Messias 90+1 - Ferguson 35, Otoa 47 og/

Juventus - Napoli 3-0 (1-0)

/David 22, Yildiz 77, Kostic 86/

Roma - AC Milan 1-1 (0-0)

/Pellegrini 74 pen - De Winter 62/

Monday

20.45: (2.80) Verona (2.95) Udinese (2.80)

***odds are subject to change***