Roma defeated AC Milan 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday night in Serie A.
The Giallorossi opened the scoring just before half-time with an amazing solo goal from Miralem Pjanic and Gervinho doubled the lead midway through the second half to any slim scudetto hopes alive.
AC Milan dominated possession in the first 20 minutes but it was Roma’s Francesco Totti who had the first opportunity. His long-range shot had failed to hit the target. Sulley Muntari, Mario Balotelli and Kaka went for solo runs but they were halted by Roma defenders.
Roma then got into the game, and Dodo had their next chance, volleying the ball after a corner. Pjanic went on a solo run and the ball went out for a corner.
Gervinho went on a slalom run but he ran into a packed Milan defence and then Totti tried his luck from distance again but his shot flew over the bar.
After a short corner, Totti laid the ball off for Daniele De Rossi, who also blasted a long-range shot over the bar.
Pjanic broke the deadlock for Roma after 44 minutes with a great solo goal. After playing a one-two with Totti, he dribbled past three Milan defenders and side-footed his shot past Christian Abbiati at the near post. Abbiati got a touch on the shot but it was to no avail.
The Rossoneri finally had a shot with Kaka’s long-range effort going straight into Morgan De Sanctis’ arms but the Giallorossi went into the half-time break with the one-goal lead.
The second half started with Roma’s Maicon having a low right-wing cross caught by Abbiati and Riccardo Montolivo had a chance for Milan, shooting from long range and just missing the target.
Totti’s low free-kick from the right-wing found Pjanic in space but his shot on the turn forced an excellent fingertip save from Abbiati.
Adem Ljajic went for a solo run of his own but he was stopped and Abbiati collected the loose ball with ease.
Gervinho put the Giallorossi 2-0 up after 65 minutes. Dodo started drifting from the left, his pass found Ljajic, and he laid the ball off for Totti. His first-time shot was saved by Abbiati but Roma’s Ivorian winger knocked-in the rebound.
Montolivo had another opportunity from long range and De Sanctis required two attempts to catch the ball. Minutes later Adel Taarabt’s angled drive was easily saved by De Sanctis.
Kaka chipped the ball into the penalty box for substitute Giampaolo Pazzini but the striker volleyed high over the bar.
Milan tried to keep possession for the remainder of the match but Roma used the ball better and held on for the win.
