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

Even when they don't play well, AC Milan win, and that's one of the main characteristics of championship teams. Even though the Serie A trophy is still very far, the Rossoneri can be more than satisfied as they top the league table after the 1-0 triumph over Lazio.

After barely surviving the first half thanks to their goalkeeper Mike Maignan, the San Siro crew took control of the match after the break and scored the winner just six minutes into the second half over Rafael Leao.

Lazio fought to salvage at least a draw, but all their efforts were futile.

As if Lazio were a second-placed and Milan an eighth-placed Serie A team, Maurizio Sarri's men were way better before the break - or, better said, they weren't as poor as the home crew.

Either way, Lazio created two fantastic chances: two minutes into the match when the outstanding Mike Maignan parried the ball onto the crossbar following Mario Gila's header and midway through the first half when the Frenchman stopped Mattia Zaccagni's dangerous strike.

On the other hand, the Rossoneri finished the opening 45 minutes with one mere attempt (?!) and even that Fikayo Tomori's shot went far wide of the post.

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Nevertheless, although we'll probably find out what Massimiliano Allegri told his lads during the break only in the following days, it must have been something either very motivational or very harsh, as Milan looked like a totally different team.

They took control of the game instantly, and only six minutes into the second period, they broke the deadlock with their first shot on target!

Tomori once again joined the attack, received an excellent, timely pass from Youssouf Fofana, and found Rafael Leao, who just passed the ball past Ivan Provedel from close range, putting the Rossoneri in front to the packed San Siro's immense delight.

Still, the Rossoneri weren't satisfied with only one goal - they went for another. Twelve minutes after the opener, Leao could have completed a brace, but Provedel superbly stopped his strong header.

Sarri tried to improve his team's offence by subbing on Taty Castellanos, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Pedro, but the impression was that his team had lost the edge it had before the break. Still, there was still time for the Romans to bounce back.

The final minutes brought drama, as VAR intervened regarding a penalty for the visitors, Allegri was sent off, but in the end, Lazio were left empty-handed, as a foul preceded the handball, which was supposed to bring them a spot kick.

The problem was that offensive lineup brought them nothing concrete, as Milan skilfully defended the advantage, recorded another minimal victory, and leapfrogged Roma at the top of the Serie A table by a point. The Wolfess will face Napoli in a derby tomorrow (22.45) and have a chance to respond to the Rossoneri's challenge.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 13

Friday

Como - Sassuolo 2-0 (1-0)

/Douvikas 14, Moreno 53/

Saturday

Genoa - Verona 2-1 (1-1)

/Colombo 40, Thorsby 62 - Belghali 21/

Parma - Udinese 0-2 (0-1)

/Zaniolo 11, Davis 65 pen/

Juventus - Cagliari 2-1 (2-1)

/Yildiz 27, 45+1 - Esposito Se. 26/

Milan - Lazio 1-0 (0-0)

/Leao 51/

Sunday

14.30: (2.90) Lecce (2.95) Torino (2.70)

17.00: (10.0) Pisa (5.00) Inter (1.33)

20.00: (1.75) Atalanta (3.60) Fiorentina (4.90)

22.45: (2.65) Roma (3.00) Napoli (3.15)

Monday

22.45: (1.47) Bologna (4.10) Cremonese (7.75)

***odds are subject to change***