AC Milan Beat Roma to Maintain Pressure on Inter
MILAN (Dispatches) - AC Milan have moved four points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan by beating Roma.
Franck Kessie put Milan ahead from the penalty spot after Roma’s Federico Fazio fouled Davide Calabria.
But Roma’s Jordan Veretout equalized with a fine finish from 18 yards out after five minutes of the second half.
However, after striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic went off to protect a groin injury, Milan scored the winner through Ante Rebic’s shot on the turn following Alexis Saelemaekers’ pass.
Milan will play Manchester United in the Europa League last 16 over two legs on 11 and 18 March in matches that would see Ibrahimovic, who spent a season and a half at Old Trafford, potentially feature against his former side.
The Swedish striker appeared to suffer a groin injury midway through the first half, but was still able to play until the 58th minute and was heavily involved.
Ibrahimovic, 39, has scored 14 Serie A goals this season and had numerous chances to add to that total but had a strike tipped over, another effort cleared off the line, a goal disallowed, he backheeled a chance wide and also headed over.
Milan’s Simon Kjaer headed against the crossbar and Rebic and Saelemaekers had shots saved as the visitors dominated, before Kessie converted a penalty.
The referee had originally not given a spot-kick, but changed his mind after watching the incident on a pitchside monitor following a video assistant referee check.
Franck Kessie put Milan ahead from the penalty spot after Roma’s Federico Fazio fouled Davide Calabria.
But Roma’s Jordan Veretout equalized with a fine finish from 18 yards out after five minutes of the second half.
However, after striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic went off to protect a groin injury, Milan scored the winner through Ante Rebic’s shot on the turn following Alexis Saelemaekers’ pass.
Milan will play Manchester United in the Europa League last 16 over two legs on 11 and 18 March in matches that would see Ibrahimovic, who spent a season and a half at Old Trafford, potentially feature against his former side.
The Swedish striker appeared to suffer a groin injury midway through the first half, but was still able to play until the 58th minute and was heavily involved.
Ibrahimovic, 39, has scored 14 Serie A goals this season and had numerous chances to add to that total but had a strike tipped over, another effort cleared off the line, a goal disallowed, he backheeled a chance wide and also headed over.
Milan’s Simon Kjaer headed against the crossbar and Rebic and Saelemaekers had shots saved as the visitors dominated, before Kessie converted a penalty.
The referee had originally not given a spot-kick, but changed his mind after watching the incident on a pitchside monitor following a video assistant referee check.