AC Milan leapfrogged Roma into third place in the Serie A table with a 1-0 victory at San Siro, thanks to Strahinja Pavlovic’s first-half goal and Mike Maignan’s late penalty heroics. In a match filled with intensity, missed chances, and dramatic swings in momentum, Milan’s resilience proved the difference.
Roma started the brighter of the two sides, dictating play through Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné. The visitors created a flurry of early opportunities, with Cristante and Ndicka both going close inside the opening 15 minutes. Milan struggled to find rhythm and were fortunate not to fall behind when Dybala’s curling effort grazed the post midway through the half.
Despite their slow start, it was Milan who struck first. Against the run of play, Rafael Leão burst down the left flank, gliding past Ndicka before cutting the ball back for Pavlovic, who coolly finished into the far corner. The Serbian defender’s first goal for the club stunned Roma, who had dominated possession but failed to convert their pressure into points.
The Rossoneri could have doubled their lead before half-time when Youssouf Fofana missed a golden chance after fine work from Leão and Bartesaghi. The pattern flipped after the interval Milan emerged sharper and more assertive, pushing Roma back and creating two quick-fire chances through Leão and Nkunku, both denied by Mile Svilar.
That wastefulness nearly proved costly. As Roma regained momentum, substitute Lorenzo Pellegrini’s free-kick struck Fofana’s arm inside the box, and a penalty was awarded. Up stepped Paulo Dybala, but Maignan produced a sensational low save to his left, preserving Milan’s slender advantage. The Frenchman’s composure and gamesmanship under pressure turned the contest firmly in the hosts’ favour.
Roma continued to press, yet Milan’s back three of Gabbia, De Winter, and Pavlovic stood firm to repel late pressure. By full time, Milan had recorded 17 shots and an expected goals tally of 3.32, compared to Roma’s 2.04 from 20 attempts a reflection of a game that could have swung either way.
The result sees Milan climb to third in Serie A on 21 points, one behind leaders Napoli, while Roma drop to fourth on goal difference. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side will rue missed chances, including the penalty, in a game that highlighted both their attacking promise and defensive fragility.
Milan, buoyed by the win and with no European distractions, now travel to Parma next weekend, while Roma must quickly regroup before facing Rangers in the Europa League midweek, followed by a league clash against Udinese. For Stefano Pioli’s men, this gritty performance may just mark the turning point in their push for the Scudetto.
